Security tightened at cattle markets to prevent fake currency circulation

Law enforcement agencies have intensified surveillance and security measures at cattle markets across the capital ahead of the holy Eid-ul-Azha to prevent the circulation of counterfeit currency and ensure safe transactions for buyers and sellers.

Authorities said counterfeit note detection machines will be installed at cattle markets by Bangladesh Bank, commercial banks and police authorities to help identify fake currency during cattle trading.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP)'s Detective Branch (DB) has adopted a zero-tolerance approach against counterfeit currency syndicates ahead of the festival.

Additional Police Commissioner and DB chief Md Shafiqul Islam told BSS that police have already strengthened operations across the capital to curb the spread of fake notes.

"Recently, DB police recovered counterfeit notes worth Taka 34 lakh during drives in Tongi and Gulistan," he said.

He added that police booths would be set up at every cattle market in Dhaka during Eid-ul-Azha to maintain law and order and provide assistance to traders and customers.

According to DB sources, an organised syndicate is attempting to circulate large volumes of counterfeit notes in city markets ahead of Eid, prompting police and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) to intensify drives in different areas.

Buyers and sellers will be able to verify suspicious notes free of cost at police booths established at the cattle markets, officials said.

RAB spokesperson Wing Commander MZM Intekhab Chowdhury told BSS that people are also being encouraged to avoid cash transactions and use cashless or card-based payment systems to prevent counterfeit currency circulation and avoid harassment.

"Necessary equipment for detecting counterfeit notes has been kept ready, while drives against fake currency syndicates are continuing," he added.

The RAB spokesperson said the force has taken maximum preparations to ensure overall security at cattle markets across the country during Eid-ul-Azha.

Patrols and check-post operations have been intensified at major cattle markets, highways and key roads, including in the capital, he said.

Intekhab Chowdhury said intelligence surveillance has also been strengthened to prevent crimes such as theft, robbery, organised fraud and activities of drugging gangs at cattle markets.

Mobile teams, CCTV monitoring and cyber surveillance systems have been arranged to ensure safe transactions and overall security, he added.

He further said RAB is coordinating with local administrations to ensure uninterrupted movement of cattle-carrying vehicles on highways.

Deputy Commissioner of DMP's Media and Public Relations Division N M Nasiruddin told BSS that police booths would be installed at all cattle markets under the two Dhaka city corporations this year.

He said, "City corporations, banks and police would jointly provide counterfeit currency detection machines at the markets. Plainclothes DB members will remain deployed round-the-clock to identify members of counterfeit currency gangs."

Nasiruddin added that check-posts would also be set up at different points in the city, while important cattle markets, entry points and surrounding roads would remain under strict security, patrol and CCTV surveillance.

Special traffic management measures have also been taken to keep vehicular movement normal around cattle markets, he added.

Special Police Superintendent (Media) of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Jasim Uddin Khan told BSS that multiple CID teams are prepared to prevent the circulation of counterfeit currency at cattle markets in the capital.

"Legal action will be taken against those involved once identified," he added.

Meanwhile, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) have taken initiatives to set up 28 temporary cattle markets in the capital ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, sources concerned said.