Cattle markets in the capital looked deserted yesterday. There were some cow traders who were busy feeding their cattle and a few bystanders looking at the sacrificial animals that came from different corners of the country. Around 23 cattle markets officially opened yesterday, although cattle traders had been coming to those markets for the last two or three days. There were not enough animals at the Gabtoli cattle market until 12 noon yesterday. Many places of the market were vacant. However, many animals started to come in and by the afternoon the vacant spots were filled.
Sanowar Hossain, a member of the Gabtoli cattle market, said: “We've to wait for two to three days to see customers, traders and visitors thronging the market. People are in no hurry. They are waiting to choose their sacrificial animals and their prices."
Anawarul Karim of Pabna brought four bulls to the market. He priced each of the animals at Tk. 12 lakh, even though no one asked for the price to buy them. “This is not fixed price. The price will fluctuate with the situation. But I deserve fair price for my cattle because I took care of them for years”, he said.
Indian cattle were not seen at the Gabtoli cattle market yesterday. Traders said they would not get a fair price if Indian cows start coming in.  
Ashiyan city Qurbani Eid bull haat, which was previously held at Azampur in Uttara, was almost filled with local, Indian and Nepalese cows. But Bangladeshi bulls were still dominating the market.
Mehrab Hossain, who has come from Kushtia to sell his 17 bulls, were asked if there would be any price difference this season in comparison with the previous years.
In reply, the cattle trader said, “Customers are yet to visit the market perhaps due to the incessant rain this morning. So it's hard to anticipate the prices. The prices often depend on foreign animals which are available at cheaper prices than the local variety."
There are banners in the market to warn the dealers, customers and visitors of thieves, snatchers and other kinds of con men. Some of the banners are also displaying the initiatives taken by the administration to ensure safe trading ahead of Eid.
Mizanur Rahman, sub-inspector of Dakshin Khan Police Station, told The Independent, "We'll keep a close eye on market. But the traders and customers have to be careful outside the market."
There will be police control rooms and close circuit (CC) cameras in every cattle market this year.
To ensure security, members of armed police and Rapid Action Battalion will co-ordinate with Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).
Moreover, before Eid, commercial banks close to the cattle markets will remain open till 9pm, confirmed DMP commissioner Asaduzzaman Mian at a press briefing on Thursday. The traders will get police escort if they want to take money to the banks.
Mobile courts have been set up at the city's cattle markets and they will start operating from Monday.