The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on Monday warned of taking strict action if additional hasil (service tax paid by customers) is collected at cattle markets ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.
RAB Headquarters’ Legal and Media Wing Director Commander Khandaker Al Moin said there have been complaints about collection of extra hasil from the buyers of animals at cattle markets and many people are being cheated.
“Our mobile team is working in the cattle markets. Strict action will be taken against those who accept excess money from the buyers,” he warned.
The RAB official sounded the warning at a view-exchange meeting with journalists on measures taken by RAB at Gabtali cattle market on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.
Like previous years, Commander Moin said, “We have taken special security measures at the cattle market. We have set up control rooms and watchtowers in coordination with the Haat Management Committee at reputed qurbani haat.”
He said that a section of unscrupulous traders focus on sales of sacrificial animals fattened artificially or selling unhealthy cattle.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Livestock, he said, RAB has formed a team comprising veterinary doctors which is conducting mobile courts. This team is going to observe different cattle markets in the capital.
A mobile court was also being run at Gabtoli Haat since the morning. “So far we have alerted 15 cattle traders about sale of such cattle. The cattle they bring are not healthy at all.”
Drives are also being conducted against the haat-centric brokers, dope gangs, malam parties, fraudsters and fake currency traders, he said.
“We have already arrested 20 people in connection with fraud and robbery in the market-centred operation since last night.”
Commander Al Moin also said that a lot of money is transacted in the cattle markets. Where a section of unscrupulous traders come to the market with fake money and try to make transactions.
He said, “We have set up counterfeit money detection machines at the RAB control room. RAB arrested over 50 fake currency traders in the past few days ahead of Eid-ul-Azha while fake notes worth Tk 50 lakh have been seized.”
“RAB's cyber team is also working to ensure that no one falls victim to fraudsters while buying sacrificial animals online. Drastic action will be taken against those who cheat in online sales of animals.”
