Rezaul Karim Reza: Eid-ul-Azha has passed and cattle trading has come to an end. However, public concern and criticism continue over the illegal cattle markets that occupied metro rail station areas, roads and footpaths in different parts of the capital. Questions remain over whose negligence, patronage or influence allowed such a situation to emerge around a nationally important public infrastructure.
During the Eid period, allegations surfaced that cattle were kept and traded unlawfully beneath and around several metro rail stations in Dhaka. Temporary enclosures were reportedly erected, trucks were parked indiscriminately, and roads and footpaths were occupied for cattle trading activities. As a result, metro rail passengers, pedestrians and city residents faced significant disruption in their daily movement. In some places, pedestrians were allegedly forced to use busy roads after footpaths became inaccessible.
Residents and observers have questioned how unauthorized cattle trading activities could take place beneath or adjacent to sensitive and strategically important facilities like metro rail stations despite the existence of designated cattle market zones and administrative oversight mechanisms in the capital.
According to concerned sources, the presence of cattle, trucks, temporary structures and trading activities in such areas over several days without authorization raises serious questions regarding monitoring, coordination and the discharge of official responsibilities.
Urban observers and conscious citizens argue that the issue goes beyond illegal cattle markets; it concerns urban governance, enforcement of law, protection of public interest and the security of state infrastructure. If influence, negligence or administrative failure contributed to the situation, those responsible should be identified and brought under legal accountability.
They further stress that the matter should not be forgotten simply because Eid is over. Instead, a proper inquiry should determine who used metro rail station premises for unauthorized activities, who occupied roads and footpaths, who failed in their duties, and what measures will be taken to prevent a recurrence in the future.
City residents believe metro rail stations, public roads and footpaths cannot be turned into spaces for illegal occupation or influence by any individual or group. To ensure that no one attempts again to create disorder, exert unlawful influence, or occupy public pathways around metro rail stations, authorities must enforce strict monitoring, visible accountability and effective legal measures.
The roads, footpaths and nationally important infrastructures of the capital belong to the public. They must not become arenas for illegal occupation, negligence or abuse of influence.
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