The voluntary organization ‘Khulna Food Bank’ has sold beef at Tk 600 per kg for ordinary customers in Khulna. This activity was started at Shibbari intersection of the city at 10 am on Friday. Buyers stand in long queues since morning to buy beef at a low price. 185 kg of meat was consumed in just one hour.

A cow was slaughtered today. Many customers had to return empty-handed due to lack of meat. Earlier on March 22, two cows were slaughtered at the same place. The organization sold a total of 310 kg of meat that day.

Around 9:30 in the morning at Shibbari intersection, it is seen that more than five hundred people are standing in a queue to buy meat. They are standing in a row ignoring the sun. When the sale starts around 10 am, many buyers are doubtful whether they will get meat or not. Still, many were seen waiting in the end.

Hasina Begum, a resident of Sheikhpara area, was standing in the queue. When he was spoken to around 10 am, he was at the very back of the queue. In the end, he expressed doubts whether he would get meat or not. Hasina Begum said, “I came to know through Facebook that beef will be sold for Tk 600. For this, I came and stood in line around 9 am. Due to the high price, beef does not make fortune. If I can take meat today, I will be able to eat beef after many days.

Shamsur Rahman was able to buy a kilogram of beef after standing in a long line. This person, who retired from a job in a private company, said, “Because of the syndicate, beef has now gone beyond the reach of the lower and middle classes. There is no need to talk about the poor. I heard that beef is available there for 600 rupees and came to buy it. After standing in line for a long time, I was able to take one kg of meat.

A few months before the national elections, traders used to sell beef in Khulna at Tk 650. Within a month after the election, the price of meat increased again. Before the fast, beef was sold at Tk 700 per kg, but during the fast, traders fixed the price of meat at Tk 725 after discussing with the mayor. Meat is still being sold at that price.