AS EID-UL-AZHA approaches, seasonal cattle traders are once again setting up markets with little regard for public inconvenience. The Dhaka city authorities oversee cattle market operations, and the lease process for 27 temporary cattle markets has already been completed, 16 under the Dhaka North City Corporation and 11 under the Dhaka South City Corporation. In many designated market areas, facilities for toll collection booths, water supply and waste management are also being prepared. On May 11, the roads, highways and bridges minister assured the public that no unauthorised cattle market would be allowed in the capital and steps had been taken to ensure that public life would not be disrupted in any way. The situation on the ground, however, appears to contradict the minister’s assurance. The photograph that New Age published on May 18 clearly indicates that preparations for an unauthorised roadside cattle market were already underway. All the authorities concerned should take prompt steps to prevent unauthorised cattle markets from being set up across the city, causing chaos and public suffering.
In the past, unauthorised cattle markets, unplanned movement of cattle and indiscriminate dumping of waste caused severe traffic congestion and immense public suffering across the city. There are also concerns of the cattle traders that the city authorities, as well as law enforcement agencies, have not effectively addressed in the past. In 2025, there was report of violence leading to the death of a youth over the lease of Basila cattle market in Dhaka. Every year, cattle traders and farmers have to contend with extortionists as they attempt to enter cattle markets in various district towns as well as those in the capital. Most traders transport cattle from the northern and northwestern districts, entering the city through Gabtoli and the Tongi Bridge. However, extortion often begins in the border districts of Kushtia, Jessore, Satkhira, Dinajpur, Rajshahi and Naogaon, where traders purchase cattle from local markets. Each truck is reportedly required to pay fixed sums to different groups of extortionists before reaching the outskirts of the capital. Extortionists intercept cattle-laden trucks and force traders either to take their sacrificial animals to specific markets or pay additional fees to enter the city. More alarmingly, there have been reports that members of unscrupulous law enforcement agencies are also often involved in such activities. In this situation, the government should consider taking effective measures to stop extortion in the Eid cattle markets.
The government should, under the circumstances, take prompt steps to prevent unauthorised cattle markets from being set up in Dhaka and ensure that cattle traders are not victimised by extortionists while transporting livestock. The city authorities, as well as law enforcement agencies, must prioritise public safety and security in and around cattle markets.
