Staff Reporter:
Seasonal hide traders in Feni have suffered significant financial losses as thousands of sacrificial animal hides went unsold following Eid-ul-Azha, with many now decomposing in local markets due to a lack of buyers and inadequate preservation.
Traders spent the Eid day night in makeshift markets, waiting in vain for buyers.
As the hours passed and temperatures rose, many of the unsold hides began to rot, releasing a foul odour that forced some traders to abandon them altogether.
Amid mounting pressure from locals over the overpowering stench, traders loaded the decomposing hides onto pickup vans and dumped them into nearby rivers.
One such trader, Shukkur Ali, was arrested on Sunday night for disposing of hides in the Silonia River under Parshuram upazila.
Acting on the instructions of Executive Magistrate and Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Arifur Rahman, a mobile court detained Shukkur from his residence in the Malipathar area of Chitholia Union.
The arrest followed a viral video showing him discarding hides into the river, which sparked public outrage and prompted swift administrative action.
Locals said Shukkur had collected hides on Eid day, purchasing each at rates between Tk 500 and 600.
After transporting them to Parshuram Bazar, he reportedly became frustrated with the absence of buyers and dumped the hides in anger.
“He was arrested for polluting the environment,” said Mohammad Nurul Hakim, officer-in-charge of Parshuram Police Station.
Similar scenes were reported across the district, including Feni Sadar and four other upazilas.
Piles of decomposing hides were found along roadsides, spreading an unbearable stench and disrupting local businesses.
Pedestrians and vehicles struggled to navigate the affected areas as liquid from the rotting hides seeped onto the streets.
Although the local administration had announced free salt distribution to assist with preservation, officials said many traders either failed to collect or use it properly.
As a result, most hides began to decompose within 24 hours.
Thousands of hides remained unsold in market areas from Saturday night. By Monday noon, many traders had simply fled, leaving behind the putrid remains.
Chhagalnaiya UNO Subal Chakma said the government had fixed official rates for hides and urged traders to remain patient, noting that hides were not being transported to Dhaka for at least another 10 days.
Feni Deputy Commissioner Saiful Islam said 123 metric tonnes of salt had been distributed, primarily to madrassas and orphanages listed for hide collection and preservation.
“Our goal was to ensure proper preservation,” he said, adding, “Unfortunately, we’ve learned that some recipients did not use the salt as intended. If the hides are not preserved properly, fair pricing cannot be ensured. In such cases, seasonal traders or syndicates may try to manipulate the situation.”
