Eid-ul- Azha cattle markets packed in Sylhet

S A Shofiee, Sylhet:
There are only two days left for the holy Eid-ul-Azha and with these two days in hand, the sacrificial cattle
markets in Sylhet are packed. Compared to last year, farm owners are dreaming of making a profit by selling local cows. This time, more cows are being sold from local farmers than from the market. On Wednesday (June 4), a visit to the largest cattle market in Sylhet city, Kazirbazar, saw that this year, farmers have brought large and medium-sized cows from different parts of the country, where they are waiting to sell to buyers. On a visit to Kazirbazar, it was seen that along with cows and goats, farmer Moazzem Ahmed has brought two buffaloes from Moulvibazar in Sylhet. He has named them Black Diamond and Pink Diamond. The buffaloes, named according to their body color, have already become the talk of the town across Sylhet. People of all ages, from children to children, are flocking to see them. In the city’s Supply Road, Chasni Pir’s Mazar Gate, Subid Bazar area, 2/3 people can be seen sitting with cows in an illegal market. Even though there are no buyers there, they are sitting. Nizam Uddin, a goat seller who came from Shahgali, Zakiganj, Sylhet to Kazi Bazar, said, “A week ago, I brought 28 goats. I have sold only 3. There are no people, no sales. Every year, I used to sell them all in such a short time. This time, that is not happening anymore. Whenever people come, they just ask the price and leave. There are still 3/4 days left, let’s see what happens.” Abdus Salam, who came to buy cows from Sheikhghat in the city, said, “This time, there are fewer cows. Earlier, it was not possible to walk 3/4 days ago. And today, there are not so many people. I am looking at cows. I am not getting what I want. Even if I like the cows, they are not sold at the price. It seems that there are no cows below one lakh taka.” Moyna Mia, a cattle trader from Temukhi area, said, “I am bringing 12 cows on Monday night. One cow was sold on Tuesday morning. I have cows here starting from 1 lakh 45 thousand taka to 80 thousand taka. If I get a good price, I can sell the rest. People are coming less, due to which there is no sale. However, it is hoped that the number of people will increase from tomorrow. Shahadat Hossain Lolon, manager of the Kazi Bazar cattle market, said that the market condition is good. It is hoped that the presence of people will increase from today. And now buyers are coming, looking at the cows, and bargaining. However, people in the city buy cows the day before Eid. Because they also need a separate place to keep them. Although cattle carts were stopped at different places earlier, this time due to strict administrative measures, we are not receiving any complaints of anyone stopping them. According to the Sylhet district administration, a total of 74 temporary cattle markets have been set up this time, including 62 in the district and 12 in the metropolis. The City Corporation has approved the city’s South Surmar Truck Terminal, Machimpur Kaidi Field, Shahparan Gate and Tilagarh Point at 12 locations. The Livestock Department said that this time the demand for sacrificial animals in Sylhet district is about 1 lakh 2 thousand. Of this, the demand for cows is 80 thousand, but only 67 thousand are ready, resulting in a shortage of about 12 thousand cows. However, there is no fear of any shortage in the case of goats, buffaloes and sheep. Sylhet District Livestock Officer Mizanur Rahman Mia said, “Although there is some shortage locally, the crisis will be largely resolved as soon as animals arrive from other parts of the country. Hopefully, the markets will fill up as the day of sacrifice approaches.” Additional Deputy Commissioner (Media)of SMP Mohammad Saiful Islam said that there are sacrificial markets in about 17 places under the jurisdiction of SMP. The markets have not been set up properly yet. Due to which we are not receiving any complaints. There is police security everywhere. No one has made any complaint of stopping cars or snatching cows anywhere yet. Sylhet City Corporation Chief Executive Officer Mohammad Rezai Rafin Sarkar said, we have 7 approved Qurbani markets. Apart from that, there are no other markets. Action will be taken if anyone sets up an illegal market.