Instead of using random places for animal sacrifice, the Dhaka North City Corporation had made arrangements for people to slaughter 500 animals at a centralized location, but locals did not respond to this initiative on Monday, as Bangladesh celebrated Eid-ul-Azha.
The DNCC and the local ward councillor had made all necessary preparations to successfully carry out a large-scale event of sacrificing 500 cows at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni field near Paris Road in Mirpur, under ward No 3 of the DNCC. Besides, ward No 7 also had a trial arrangement for multiple animal sacrifices at a single location for the first time this year.
A visit to the field on Paris Road revealed that the DNCC had prepared two water vans with a capacity of 700 litres each and two portable toilets.
In pictures: Bangladesh celebrates Eid-ul-AzhaAdditionally, small pickup trucks were ready for waste cleaning, and several vans were there to transport meat from the field to homes. There were small trash boxes throughout the field. Moreover, tarpaulins had been laid out for people coming to perform the ritual, providing a clean surface for cutting the meat.
Ward 3 Councillor Kazi Zahirul Islam Manik arranged for free lemon sherbet for people coming to perform sacrifices, with stands set up on both sides of the field. Additionally, provisions were made for lunch.
To encourage residents, Mayor Md Atiqul Islam on Sunday announced a Tk1,000 incentive for each animal sacrificed at the Paris Road field.
Despite all these arrangements, there was little response from the locals. From morning till noon, only three cows were sacrificed at the field.
Meanwhile, outside the field, on the road, five to six cows were sacrificed.
Everyone else performed their sacrifices in front of their homes.
Councillor Manik, who was present on the field, said all preparations had been made and the local residents had been informed about the arrangement, but “if they are not conscious, we cannot force them.”
However, he hoped that gradually people would become more aware.
On the other hand, locals mentioned various difficulties in slaughtering animals on the field.
Eid-ul-Azha tips: How to keep your home, surroundings spotless after animal sacrificeThey admitted that the initiative was good, but said that since the land was sandy, it would become muddy if sacrifices were performed there and the sand would stick to the meat.
Additionally, they said as the soil was soft, there would be problems during meat cutting and chopping.
Locals said road conditions were good and slaughtering animals on them was easier as a result.
Moreover, since Eid prayers were held on the field in the morning, it took time for it to become vacant. Consequently, most worshippers performed their animal sacrifices in their own areas right after the first Eid congregation.
Ariful Islam, a resident of Avenue 5, said: “Most people in our area slaughter their own cattle. We are not very skilled. When we do it within the neighbourhood, we can get help from others as everyone knows each other. It is a joyful experience. But if we slaughter cattle on the field, the meat might get sandy."
"Not everyone hires butchers to slaughter their cattle. Whether good or bad, there is no hassle when we do it in our own area. Also, sacrificing on dry ground is easier than on a field. Blood and dirt can be cleaned with a broom. It would have been better if, instead of using the field, they had designated a few large roads or made a rule for slaughtering animals at the end of each street," said Mahbub Alam Antor, another local resident.
Many welcomed the initiative by the DNCC too, but they said if the slaughtering was done on the road next to the field and the cutting on the field, it would have been convenient for everyone.
