Century-Old Cattle Market Closed Amid Local Outcry

In Mongla's Choterhat area, a century-old cattle market has been closed amid local residents' protests. The market had been operating on a playground meant for students, allegedly without adhering to regulations and forcibly leased for years, according to local complaints.

Locals report that the district commissioner ordered the closure of the market. However, the Upazila Executive Officer has stated that an investigation will be conducted regarding the lease of the area.

According to the complaints, the market had been held for nearly a hundred years in the Choterhat area of Sundarban Union. Due to the influence of a powerful lessee, the market extended into an adjacent playground.

Residents claim that the field was once a pond. Last year, it was filled with sand and converted into a playground for local students. However, since Eid-ul-Fitr, the market lessee, Golam Mostafa, had been operating the cattle market there. Despite repeated warnings, Mostafa claimed that the field was leased from the Upazila administration.

In an effort to reclaim the playground, a local named Golam Rasul filed complaints with the local Member of Parliament, the District Commissioner, and the Upazila administration. Following the complaints, on the afternoon of Friday, June 14, the Upazila Executive Officer ordered the cessation of the cattle market on the playground. Subsequently, all the cattle were relocated to the old market site.

Lessee Golam Mostafa stated that he had leased the market from the government, which included the playground within the six-acre area. He mentioned that the cattle market was temporarily set up there but was removed in the afternoon. He believes that an investigation by the Upazila administration will confirm the legitimacy of his claims.

Upazila Executive Officer Nishat Tamanna said that due to local complaints, the cattle market on the playground was closed. She also mentioned that the extent of the leased area would be investigated and appropriate measures taken based on the findings