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| December 30, 2006 | Saturday | Zilhaj 08, 1427 |
Extortionists rule animal sale points
LAHORE, Dec 29: Impersonating as officials of the city district government, gangs have been roaming around animal sale points to extort money from sellers and buyers of sacrificial animals.
As the sale of animals picked up on Friday, people visiting several points in the city expressed concern over high prices and extortion.
Comprising four to five youths, the gangs of extortionists man exit and entry points where they stop traders and buyers and extort money on different grounds.
They use strongarm tactics if a buyer/seller objects to the extortion on the ground that the city district government has banned all sorts of collections in case of sacrificial animals.
Abdus Sattar, a livestock trader from Rahim Yar Khan, visits the Sherakot Bakar Mandi each year. “This year the extortionists are on the loose and there is no body to stop them.”
Camped at Sherakot for the last 10 days, Sattar says he has so far paid over Rs1,000 for each goat. He said each truck entering Lahore via Manga Mandi was made to pay a minimum of Rs 5,000 `rahdari’ which was also illegal. A like amount, he said, was then “paid to extortionists who would otherwise eject you from the market or seize your animals.”
As Sattar was telling his tale, a trader from Bhakkar present nearby broke down. “The henchmen of a naib nazim and a notorious extortionist have already deprived me of any profit I was going to make.”
The Dawn team spotted six teams extorting money from traders and buyers. When the photographer took snaps of a gang based at Bund Road, its members except one left the spot. Their victims, present at the spot, surrounded the Dawn team. “They have seized my goat. They are demanding Rs 2,000 for a cow. They want me to pay Rs 5,500 for 13 camels. They have impounded my truck carrying 50 sheep,” such were the voices heard from all directions.
A so-called complaint cell at Babu Sabu turned out to be a facility for sick animals. “A naib nazim’s men have put up the banner by force,” said a man sitting inside. “I am here just to treat sick animals.”
People were seen scuffling with extortionists at other points in Bakar Nandi. Each goat buyer was made to pay up to Rs300. “I had no option,” said Najam Ahmad who bought a goat for Rs13,000 and paid Rs300 to one of the gangs. “I tried to argue with those who introduced themselves as government officials and demanded Rs300 fee. They began threatening me when I resisted. I thought it better to pay the `Jagga’ (extortion) and leave the spot,” he said.
“To whom should we contact for relief?” asked a trader, seeking help from the media team. “We know police won’t come to our rescue.”
A CDGL-sponsored advertisement carried by national newspapers during the last few days did not mention any official or a contact number in case of a complaint. When the district nazim’s office was contacted, officials present there said the DCO and his staff were responsible for monitoring the situation.
DCO Mian Muhammad Ejaz said that he had already received complaints of extortion. He said town administrations were supposed to check the illegal practice. Neverthless, he said, he had asked the TMOs to ensure the ejection of gangs from animal sale points. “I have specially warned the Samanabad TMO to clear Baka Mandi of extortionists or be ready to face action.”
PRICES: Goats and sheep are up for sale in all parts of the city apart from official sale points.
Prices being demanded are much higher than the purchasing power of a majority of the people. An average goat or sheep, available at Rs6,000 last year, is being priced at Rs12,000 this year.
Similarly, an average cow is available at Rs25,000 and camel Rs40,000.
Those with limited means are delaying the purchase with an anticipation that prices will fall on Eid night.
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