Extortionists active in Tangail cattle markets

A cattle market at Gobindasi in Tangail. Traders who came here from far flung areas of various districts have complained of extortion and inadequate security measures taken by the authorities concerned at various points on the way. PHOTO: STAR

This is because most of the cattle traders are allegedly facing hassle, including extortion, on their way to various markets due to inadequate security measures taken by the law and order agencies.

Abdus Salam, a cattle trader of North Bengal alleged that he had come to Deohata cattle market in Mirzapur, one of the biggest cattle market in Tangail, with 50 sacrificial animals by river routes. But he had to pay Tk 5,000 to police, river police and local musclemen at five points of Saria, Sacata, Bahadurabad, Dhudhmari and Chilmari from Ghughubari to Gobindasi.

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Another cattle trader of Tangail, Kalam Bepari, alleged that he came to Dewhata cattle market with 10 sacrificial animals by truck from North Bengal. He had to pay Tk 300 to highway police in three points including Sirajganj

Joyen Miah, another cattle trader of Sanandabari village under Dewanganj upazila in Jamalpur district, told this correspondent he came to Dewhata cattle market buying 10 sacrificial animals from Gobindasi cattle market.

'A gang of musclemen took Tk 500 from him as toll by force at the cattle market,' he alleged.

However, the cattle markets in the district including Gobindasi in Bhuapur; Deohata, Hatubhanga and Taktarchala in Mirzapur, Rupshi in Delduar, Jugni, Karatia and Aynapur in Tangail sadar, Alenga in Kalihati have started gaining momentum.

But it is believed that despite plenty of supply, this year prices of cattle will be comparatively higher due to market manipulation by middlemen and local hoodlums who are operating silently hoodwinking law enforcers.

This correspondent visited some cattle markets and found sales of cattle low in comparison with crowds in the markets.

Price of a small size cow is ranging between Tk 7,000 and 12,000 and that of a medium size cow is between Tk 15,000 and 25,000 on average at the cattle markets. The traders demand Tk 50,000 to 1,00000 for a large size cow. Price of goats are also higher than that of last year.

Cattle trader Mukter Ali told this correspondent this year price of sacrificial animals rose due to increasing price of fodder. This year, price of a 50 kg bag of 'Kura' is Tk 180 while it was price Tk 100 last year.

‘Price of sacrificial animals marked rise this year due to reduction in import of animals from India,' he added.