Hundreds of hides dumped in Brahmanbaria as traders count losses; clash over leather storage leaves 10 injured
According to local sources, Brahmanbaria had a demand for around 169,000 sacrificial animals this Eid, while nearly 15,000 farmers in the district raised livestock for the occasion.
Hundreds of sacrificial animal hides were dumped along roadsides in Brahmanbaria after traders failed to find buyers or secure fair prices, leaving seasonal leather traders facing heavy losses during Eid-ul-Adha.
Traders alleged that a syndicate controlling the rawhide market was responsible for the price collapse.
According to local sources, Brahmanbaria had a demand for around 169,000 sacrificial animals this Eid, while nearly 15,000 farmers in the district raised livestock for the occasion.
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From the afternoon of Eid Day, seasonal traders began bringing hides to the town's T A Road area for sale. However, many said they waited throughout the night without finding buyers.
Unable to sell the hides, many traders reportedly abandoned them in piles on roadsides across the town.
The dumped rawhides later created foul smells, causing suffering for pedestrians and nearby residents.
Several traders said hides purchased for Tk500 were not even fetching Tk200.
They alleged that the leather sector had fallen hostage to syndicates due to a lack of government oversight.
Meanwhile, a clash over storing sacrificial animal hides left at least 10 people injured in Ashuganj upazila of the district last night (28 May).
According to police and locals, the clash took place between the Bagharbari and Shariatullah groups in Durgapur village.
The dispute reportedly began after members of the Shariatullah group placed animal hides in front of a shop belonging to Mon Mia of the rival group. Tensions escalated when blood from the hides spread in front of the shop and Akhtar Mia of the Bagharbari group protested.
At one stage, members of both groups engaged in a violent clash using locally made weapons.
Locals said the hour-long clash spread panic in the village, with participants using torchlights during the nighttime violence.
Police later arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control.
Officer-in-Charge of Ashuganj Police Station AKM Shafiqul Alam Chowdhury said no written complaint had yet been filed by either side.
"However, police are taking necessary legal steps regarding the incident," he said.
