Md Delwar Hossain, Bauphal (Patuakhali)

There have been allegations of slaughtering sick, bony and diseased cows without health checks in Bauphal, Patuakhali. Locals allege that these animals are being slaughtered in the dark of night in slaughterhouses in various areas of the upazila, including the town market, and marketed in the morning. There are also allegations of slaughtering pregnant cows, goats and calves, injured by dog bites, and selling meat. This has raised concerns about ensuring public health and safe food.

Eyewitnesses claim that a sick cow was slaughtered at Anwar Munshi's slaughterhouse in Bauphal Municipality's market at around 1 am on Wednesday (October 7). The next morning, Thursday (October 8), it was alleged that the beef was sold at a price of Tk 750 per kg.

An eyewitness said that the cow was not in good physical condition. The cow was very skinny and sickly. It was drooling and walking with a limp. He said that he took a picture of the cow on his mobile phone before slaughtering it.

Locals have alleged that some meat vendors from different areas, including Bachchu Kassai of Baufal High School Road and Faisal Kassai of Kalishuri, collect sick and boneless cows and slaughter them late at night. Later in the morning, the meat of these animals is sold to general buyers. However, the statements of other butchers concerned regarding these allegations could not be obtained.

Earlier, there were allegations of a dead cow being brought to the Golabari area of the upazila. It is alleged that the people involved fled after abandoning the cow in the face of chase by locals.

According to locals, there is no regular system of health check-ups, disease detection and verification of suitability for slaughtering of animals in various markets of the upazila. As a result, there is a risk that the meat of sick or diseased animals will end up in the food list of the common people. According to local sources, cows are slaughtered and sold in about 30 to 40 slaughterhouses, including the municipality, in Bauphal upazila.

Bauphal Press Club President Jalilur Rahman said, "There is no effective system of animal health testing before slaughtering cows and goats in various markets. If sick or diseased animals are slaughtered and meat is sold, it can pose a serious risk to public health." He claimed that the issue was raised several times in the Upazila Law and Order Committee meetings, but no effective action was taken.

In this regard, Baufal Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Sirajul Islam said, "Recently, police were sent to the Golabari area after receiving a complaint about the sale of a dead cow. However, before the police arrived, the people involved fled with the cow in a hurry."

Upazila Livestock Officer Shuvendu Sarkar said, "Due to the shortage of manpower, it is difficult to carry out the duties properly. A few days ago, all butchers were called and warned in a meeting of the law and order committee. Since I joined, no butcher has taken a cow slaughter certificate from my office."

Bauphal UNO Saleh Ahmed said, "The matter is very sensitive. I have ordered immediate action after receiving the complaint. I will soon be present at the slaughterhouse during the cow slaughter and look into the matter."

Denying the allegations, the owner of the slaughterhouse, Anwar Munshi, said, "I do not slaughter any sick or bony cows." However, when shown pictures of sick cows being slaughtered at his slaughterhouse around 1 am on Wednesday, the complainant claimed that he could not give a satisfactory explanation about it.