United News of Bangladesh

State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Mir Shahe Alam on Wednesday assured that cattle transport ahead of Eid-ul-Azha will be free from extortion. “We assure that there will be no extortion targeting those transporting sacrificial animals. If any such incident occurs, law enforcement agencies will take strict action,” he said. He made the remarks while talking to reporters after inspecting the progress of management improvements at Gabtoli cattle market in the city and the construction of a new road to Gabtoli bus terminal in the capital. The state minister expressed hope that cattle markets and major highways will remain hassle-free during the Eid rush. “Law enforcement agencies and relevant ministries will remain alert to ensure smooth cattle market operation and uninterrupted vehicular movement on highways,” he added. Responding to a question about past incidents of extortion and disputes involving cattle-laden trucks, he said such issues were more prevalent during the long tenure of the previous government. “This time, an elected government is in place. The Prime Minister is directly overseeing matters that affect public convenience,” he said, adding that authorities are working under his instructions to ensure discipline in cattle transportation. Regarding market boundaries extending onto main roads, he said authorities are preparing for unexpected situation. “At Gabtoli, the target is to accommodate one lakh cattle but sometimes the number may exceed expectations. Traders do not inform us in advance about how many cattle they will bring or purchase,” he said. He said monitoring is ongoing and officials will conduct further inspections, he added. Additional coordination meetings will also be held to ensure proper management, said the state minister.