A cattle market has been set up on Muktarpur Government Primary School ground in Sadar Upazila of Munshiganj without permission.
Sources said all preparations have been completed for setting up the sacrificial animal market on the entire field of Muktarpur Government Primary School under Panchashar Union.
While visiting the school, this correspondent has found that canopies have been made on the school field while hundreds of cattle have been brought there for sale ahead of the Eid-ul-Azha.
The primary school will remain closed from June 13 on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha. But almost a week before June 13, all the work of setting up the sacrificial animal market has been completed. The students of the school have expressed their dissatisfaction as they cannot walk in the field, take part in daily assembly and play sports. When contacted, the headmaster of Muktarpur Government Primary School said, “I have asked the lessee to show the document of permission for the cattle market but they couldn’t show me any paper until Sunday. I have reported the matter to the higher authorities.” When contacted, Panchashar Union Parishad Chairman Haji Golam Mostafa said, “I am now in Dhaka. I don't know anything about the market. Upazila Chairman Anis Mia's son Rajan has taken the lease. Only he can say it better.” Abdul Matin, the lessee of the market, said permission has been taken to use the empty spaces near Panchashar Union Parishad and the ground of Muktarpur Government Primary School. “The market is being run under the overall management of the chairman. The sacrificial animal market is set up for the benefit of all. The entire school ground is not being used. The cattle market has been set up keeping in mind that students do not face any inconvenience,” he said.
In this regard, Munshiganj District Primary Education Officer AKM Anwar Hossain said, “I strongly protest the matter.”
When contacted, Munshiganj Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Afifa Khan said none has been given permission to set up a cattle market on the school ground. “If they occupy the ground and set up a market, then prompt action will be taken in this regard,” he said.
