Indian cows are coming Bangladesh

A large number of Indian cattle have started coming in the local markets of Kurigram through various border points in the district ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.

A total of 8,973 cattle entered the districts through several border points in the first week of September, reports our correspondent, citing customs department officials.

Locals claimed that the number of Indian cattle would be higher than the official figure.

Traders said Indian cattle were brought to the district's local markets through 15 border points including, Daikhawa, Narayanpur, Moydan, Diadanga, Shaljhar, Pakhiura, Dhaldanga, Bagvandar Bhawalkuri, Singjhar and Madarganj under Bhurungamari, Nageswari, Roumari and Sadar upazilas.

More cattle entered through Dharla Bridge point, they added.

With more Indian cattle coming in, the price of the local ones has dropped, said cattle farmers and farm owners.

Mozammel Hossain, a cattle farmer of Kurigram municipality, said, “I am rearing 30 cows for the last nine months for the Eid markets. I expected to sell them for Tk 9 lakh this year. But the price drop worries me now.”

District Livestock Officer Amitabh Chakrabatty said, “There are about six lakh cattle in the district. Of them, 55,500 cows, 16,000 goats and 3,278 sheep are saleable.”

According to butcher shops, the price of beef has gone up to Tk 380 from Tk 280 per kg after India tightened its border a few months back.