BSS, Chittagong :
Sacrificial animals from across the country as well as few from India and Myanmar have started pouring into the traditional and makeshift cattle markets in the port city and its adjoining 14 upazilas of the district ahead of the holy Eid-ul-Azha .
On the other hand, authorities have taken tight security measures through deploying members of police, Rapid Action Battalion ( RAB) and Ansars side by sides plaincloth members of law enforcers in and outside the cattle markets as well as city entry points to ensure safe arrival of cattle in a crime free atmosphere in the markets.
Talking to BSS, a good number of cattle traders expressed satisfaction over the security steps taken ahead of Eid by the government to make safe arrival of cattle to the markets.
Liakat Ali Bepary from Kustia at city’s Bibirhat bazar and Sahajahan Bepary who hails from Teknaf in Cox’s bazar at Sagarika Bazar here said they did not pay any money as illegal toll to the organized extortionists on their way to the market or at market venue till today although they both had bitter experiences of paying toll to the miscreants at least at 4/5 points three or four years ago.
While visiting a number of traditional, makeshift cattle markets and a few mini markets in the port city , it was observed that the cattle heads have started arriving in good numbers and the selling and buying were getting momentum.
Traders and market sources apprehend that prices of sacrificial animals would be little bit higher this year compared to previous years particularly for the increased transportation cost.
Jasim Bepary at Bibirhat bazar who comes from Chapainowabganj district told BSS that he has brought 25 big size cows in Chittagong market for sale but he had not to count any money as toll. There are eight cattle markets including six temporary ones under the supervision of the Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) which contributed to the organization over TK six crore by leasing out those to the interested bidders.
Selling and buying of sacrificial animals have already gained momentum at the temporary markets since Wednesday and will continue till midnight of October 5.
CCC authority in a meeting today has decided to start cleanliness drive to remove wastes of sacrificial animals from the noon of October 7.
The authority has formed a 21-member task force comprising 12 commissioners and CCC officials to supervise waste disposal drives. The CCC authority will engage around 2500 manpower and will put in place 210 trucks to this effect, CCC sources said.
Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) and district police source said they have taken adequate security measures to check crimes in and around the cattle markets.
At least 72 check posts have already been set up in different areas of city and districts.
Nearly 150 RAB personnel have been deployed in the different cattle markets, strategic points in the city as well as highways for safety and security of the traders and buyers, sources said.
