Cattle market at college ground during degree exam!

A cattle market was set up on Tuesday at the ground of Shaheed Smriti Government College in Akhaura upazila of Brahmanbaria, violating the Section 144 when a degree examination was going on at the college centre.

During a visit, this correspondent found that the college ground was abuzz with sellers and buyers of sacrificial animals.

It was learnt that leaseholder Alaul Karim arranged the makeshift market of sacrificial animals, which will continue the till day before Eid-ul-Azha.

Teachers and students of the college have expressed grievance over setting up of the cattle market at the college ground.

At 2:30pm on Tuesday, it was found that four examinees were appearing at the examination on the third floor of the college building while hundreds of sacrificial animals were kept on the college ground for sale.

“Upazila Nirbahi Officer [UNO] Tahmina Akter Reina, also chairman of the college governing body, has given permission for setting up the cattle market at the college ground. We have nothing to do in this regard,” said Md Joynal Abedin, principal of Akhaura Shaheed Smriti Government College.

Several teachers of the college, on condition of anonymity, said the administrative authority has given permission for setting up the cattle market despite the college principal’s objection.

Contacted, leaseholder Alaul Karim said he has set up the cattle market at the college ground with permission from the UNO and local public representatives are informed about the matter.

Asked about the matter, UNO Tahmina Akter Reina told this correspondent, “Only four examinees are taking part in an examination on the third floor of the college building and they have not faced any disturbance due to the cattle market.”  

As there is no alternative place for setting up a cattle market, the college ground has been considered, she added.