Traders blamed the price hike on extortion from cattle-laden trucks by law enforcers and musclemen at many points on way to Dhaka.

Supply of cattle to the capital's makeshift cattle markets and the permanent one at Gabtoli from different parts of the country continued.

Buyers at Gabtoli and makeshift Panthapath cattle market said the price is higher than they expected. This year the buyers have to pay the lessees of the markets six percent of the price of a cattle.

At Gabtoli, traders charged cattle prices ranging from Tk 7,000 to more than Tk 1.5 lakh each. But most of the customers looked for cows priced between Tk 15,000 and Tk 25,000.

"I am bargaining for a cow at Tk 18,000 but its seller is charging Tk 25,000, which seems quite high," a government official said at Gabtoli market yesterday.

A trader from Rajshahi, Mujibur Rahman, alleged, " We had to pay Tk 2000 per cattle-laden truck at Moishalbari market in Chapainawabganj. The market authorities took the money in the name of BDR."

Supply of cattle imported from India was not adequate till yesterday but traders said their supply will now increase.

About toll collection, a trader said, "Additional police personnel deployed on different highways and waterways and local extortionists are the main toll collectors."

Police and BDR have been deployed in the capital to keep the law and order under control and ensure safe movement of cattle traders and other people coming to or leaving the capital on the eve of the Eid.