Staff Reporter :Cattle are entering Bangladesh from India and Myanmar crossing the international borders ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.According to the department of livestock, there are some 4.0 million healthy cattle, including buffaloes in the country, against the demand for an estimated 5.0 million at the time of Eid-ul-Azha.The traders’ aim is to bring more cattle this year from India although the Indian government has strengthened security measures along the border to stop cattle migration to Bangladesh.Traders are also bringing cattle from Myanmar.It is, however, learnt that the inflow of cattle from India is comparatively less through the Satkhira, Jessore, and Chuadanga borders.There are eight corridors under the jurisdiction of Rajshahi Customs Commissioner Office through which cattle are brought from India.A total of 3,400 cows and buffaloes entered Bangladesh through Sultanganj corridor in the first 12 days of current month, while 4,607 cows through the corridor in the month of August and in the first 14 days of this month. The number was only 1,355 during the corresponding period of last year.Meanwhile, over 5,500 cows were brought through the Bangladesh-Myanmar border in Cox’s Bazar from 1 August to 14 September whereas it was less than 4,500 last year.Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia said there are 23 cattle markets in DMP area.He said that no cattle market would be allowed out of their approved areas. The markets must be restricted to the leased areas. Police will be deployed in cattle markets from 18 September, but no cows would be allowed in those temporary markets before 19 September.Traders can take their cattle to any market in the capital and none can force them to take their cows to any selected markets. Police will ensure this. Police will also escort traders if they carry significant sums of money.Different banks will provide transaction faculties in the cattle markets in the evening so that traders can deposit their money safely. Transactions will be available till 9pm every night and there will also be machines to detect fake currency.
