The announcement came just two days before a meeting between the traders, Commerce Ministry and Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), when they will decide about the strike. Meat traders pay between Tk20,000 and Tk30,000 as extortion while shipping each cow from the borders to Dhaka“We could sell per kg beef within Tk300. Since we have to pay extortionists right from the border to Gabtoli market, how can we set reasonable prices for customers?” said DMMMA Secretary General Rabiul Alam. At a press conference on Wednesday, he said DNCC Mayor Annisul Huq is handling the matter since the Gabtoli market is under his jurisdiction. In the wake of the situation, local butchers were charging Tk500-600 and Tk700-800 for each kg of beef and mutton respectively.

Source: Dhaka Tribune February 17, 2017 17:54 UTC