Ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, 19 temporary cattle markets are being held in the areas of Dhaka's two city corporations: 10 in Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and nine in Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC).

Law enforcement agencies have taken tight security measures. CCTV cameras have been installed at every market, and there will be control rooms, watchtowers and plainclothes police. Escort services will be available for carrying cash. No market will be held on main roads, and a number of conditions have been set for markets beside smaller roads; the traffic division will give permission if they are met.

According to DMP sources, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has met market lessees to prevent any sabotage and ensure the safety of buyers and sellers. The security plan was drawn up after separate meetings with local dignitaries and DMP deputy commissioners (DC) of the crime and detective divisions. As in previous years, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, the Detective Branch (DB) and the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) are working together to keep order at the markets.

Under DMP's security plan, a police control room and CCTV cameras have been set up at every market. The control rooms will have electronic machines for detecting fake notes, and police will take strict measures against drugging gangs.

Considering the importance of the markets, the crowds and the transactions, plainclothes police will be deployed at key points in and around almost every market. Police will monitor the markets at all times from watchtowers.

Asked about market security, Muhammad Talebur Rahman, deputy commissioner of DMP's Media and Public Relations Division, told Jago News: "We will have adequate security at the cattle markets. There will be a lot of cash transactions. We are alerting people. We have launched an escort service, which ordinary people can use if they wish."

"Each market will have a round-the-clock security team. We will take steps so that no one can worsen the law and order situation," he said.

Announcing a strict position on markets beside main roads because of Eid travel, the traffic division has also given a number of recommendations.

DMP Additional Commissioner (Traffic) Md Sarwar said: "We have held meetings with the two city corporations and at the ministry. We have many plans. Under no circumstances can a cattle market be held on the road, nor beside main roads. If a market beside a main road has to be leased, a sketch map with the set measurements must be provided. Our traffic division will then inspect the site to see whether the market will spill onto the road. Markets must have one entry route and a separate exit. If the same road is used to enter and leave, it causes jams."

"If a market has to be held beside small roads, the roadside must be fenced. There must be separate arrangements for unloading and loading animals from vehicles. If a market has no space for this, loading and unloading onto pickups must be arranged half a kilometre away. There must be volunteers and magistrates. A city corporation magistrate cannot clear the road, so we have said BRTA magistrates must be present," he said.

Md Sarwar said: "BRTA asked what they have to do with cattle markets. We said that if a cattle market is set up on or spills onto a BRTA road, BRTA will run mobile courts and remove it. Police will also have magistrates who will try cases on the ground and hand out jail terms and fines. Auxiliary forces will always be on duty with the police. We are strict about cattle markets near highways."

Bangladesh Bank has ordered evening banking to be kept open in areas next to sacrificial animal markets in Dhaka and the Chattogram metropolitan area. The central bank gave the directive in a circular on Thursday, 29 May.

The directive says bank branches near the sacrificial markets under Dhaka North and South City Corporations and Chattogram City Corporation must take the necessary steps. The move will ensure transparency and security in cash management and allow people to complete financial transactions smoothly.

Areas where evening banking will be available include:

• Uttara Diabari (the open space in the Bou Bazar area next to Sectors 16 and 18)
• The area next to Sutivola canal in Bhatara
• Bhatulia, from Saheb Ali Madrasa to the Ranavola sluice gate
• West Para next to the Mastul checkpost in Khilkhet
• The open space beside the 40-foot road in the Bosila area of Mohammadpur
• The Gabtoli cattle market in Mirpur
• The Eastern Housing area of Mirpur Section 6
• Banarupa residential area, Khilkhet
• The area next to Dhaka Polytechnic Institute
• The east side of the Institute of Leather Technology college
• The area next to Moitri Sangha Club in North Shahjahanpur
• The riverbank west of Postogola cremation ground
• The area next to Donia College and Sontek Mohila Madrasa
• The south side of Sadek Hossain Khoka Math and Dholaikhal truck terminal
• The area next to Rahmatganj Club
• Shyampur Kadamtali truck stand
• The east side of Sadek Hossain Khoka Community Centre in Kamalapur
• The north-east side of Amulia Aligarh Model College
• The Sagarika area of Chattogram

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.