No Haat in Densely Populated Areas: DNCC Mayor

No cattle market will be permitted in densely populated areas under the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), said Mayor Atiqul Islam on Thursday.

In a video clip from his office, he said that the decision was made considering public safety.

The DNCC Mayor stated that the marginal people who make their living by rearing cattle wait for the whole year to sell their cattle in the sacrificial animal market that appeared before Eid ul Azha, known as the Bangla Haats. On the other hand, Muslim devotees place great importance on animal sacrifice for the pleasure of the Almighty.

“It’s also true that setting up cattle markets in populated areas pose a high risk to public health. That is why I’ve instructed to set up cattle markets in less populated areas, ” he said. 

The DNCC haats will be set up in sector 17 of Uttara, Bosila of Mohammadpur, Mostul Dumni area near Purbachal Bridge and Syed Nagar area on the 100 ft road in Kawla. In addition, the permanent cattle market of Gabtoli will be run as before, the mayor declared.

He urged people to maintain recommended health guidelines and called on immune-deficient, disabled, elderly and children to refrain from entering the market.

The leaseholders were asked to keep the animals at least five steps apart from each other. In fact, there will be a regular washing of hands arrangement.

Mayor Atiqul cautioned about strict maintenance of health guidelines, saying magistrates will be patrolling at all the cattle markets on behalf of the city corporation. 

“The leaseholders must abide by our instructions. Otherwise, the lease agreement will be canceled,” he added.