Illegal cattle markets were set up here and there in Chattogram city ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. The owners of some agro farms and seasonal cattle traders were setting up such illegal markets (Haat) in the name of display center, sale center and so on.
In one hand, Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) are losing revenue due to such illegal Haats. On the other hand, small cattle farmers and traders are facing losses. Moreover, the unplanned Haats are causing traffic jam in the city. The environment of the city is getting polluted as well.
Pedestrians and city dwellers were facing sufferings due to the illegal cattle markets. The CCC officials were yet to take any action against the illegal Haats although the continuous sale is on in the cattle markets.
After visiting several parts of the city on Tuesday and Wednesday, it was seen that an agro farm named Asian Agro set up huge display center in Textile Gate area where they were selling cows and goats. On a large banner, it was written that all facilities of cattle markets were kept there. People from different parts of the city thronged the place to buy their sacrificial animals.
Besides Asian Agro, Sheth Agro set up a display cum cattle sales center at Goli No. 1 in Kazir Dewri of the city. Moreover, VIP Agro opened a display center in Bayezid Bostami area. Another display center was opened by Chaudhury Agro in the same area. Apart from these, ABC Agro and several other agro farms set up display centers at Hamzarbag, AK Khan, Alangkar, Colonel Haat, Kattoli, Halishahar, Boropol, 2 No. Gate, Bahaddarhat, Bou Bazar, Dewanhat, Firingi Bazar, Baklia, Rahattarpul, Kaptai, Moizzartak, Bayezid Link Road, Outer Ring Road and other parts of the city.
CCC sources said, “Three permanent cattle markets were set up at Bibirhat cow haat, Sagorika cow haat and Postar Par goat haat in Chattogram this year. However, another seven temporary cattle markets were set up in the city. Moreover, another 250 cattle markets were set up in different Upazilas in Chattogram.
CCC sources also said that they have been conducting drives against the illegal cattle markets in several places of the city since Tuesday noon. CCC officials fined a display center Tk 10,000 at Oxygen Mor in the port city. They also asked Asian Agro to show their valid papers.
Regarding the display centers, CCC Chief Revenue Officer Mohammad Nazrul Islam said, “All the display centers are illegal as they are outside the legal cattle markets. We have started operation to shut such display centers. These display centers are dodging the revenue. There is no scope to open such display centers without permission. These are being set by the owners of the Agro farms. We did not permit them to set up such display centers.