Sellers feel cheated as middlemen rule Rangpur cattle markets

RANGPUR, Oct 2: The buyers and sellers of sacrificial animals at different cattle markets in Rangpur district are facing trouble as they are seriously being harassed by middlemen and 'dalals' (brokers) while the law enforcing agencies seem to be oblivious to the matter.

Sources said that both the buyers and sellers of sacrificial animals at most of the cattle markets or haats in Rangpur city and upazilas areas are being deceived by middlemen and brokers before the holy Eid-ul-azha.

It is alleged that several thousands cattleheads are sold at the cattle markets of the region everyday on the eve of Eid-ul-azha and almost all the cattle markets or haats are dominated by the brokers.  

Most of the buyers and sellers of sacrificial animals who arrived at the cattle markets or local haats are duped by the brokers or middlemen who move there in the guise of real buyers or sellers of cattle.

The rural cattle rearers are often forced to sell their cattleheads at low prices to the dishonest brokers and middlemen under pressure. The brokers then sell those sacrificial animals to the buyers and cattle traders at higher prices, it is alleged.

Shahjahan Miah (60), a cattle seller at Lalbag cattle haat told The Financial Express on Wednesday that he came from Mirganj village at Tampat union under Rangpur Sadar Upazila with the hope to sell his cattlehead at satisfactory price. But he had to face serious difficulties in selling his cow due to the harassment by the brokers as he was compelled to sell his cows at much below price than his expectation. Moreover, he was forced to pay the brokers Tk 700 as commission, he added.     

Kalim Uddin (50), a buyer at Lalbagh cattle haat told The Financial Express "It is quite difficult to purchase a sacrificial animal without managing local brokers. I had to pay Tk 500 to the dalals for buying a cow" he added.

Saiful Islam (55), a broker at Nisbetganj cattle haat in Rangpur Sadar Upazila said, he earns Tk 2500 to Tk 3000 per haat day from brokery. "We just help people in purchasing and selling sacrificial animals and in this way earn some money. I think it is not a crime", he added.

Talking to The Financial Express a number of buyers and sellers at different cattle markets of the region said they are deceived and harassed often by the brokers and consequently they have to incur financial losses.

They also urged the authority concerned to take adequate measures in this regard so that they can get rid of such menace.

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