LUCKNOW: Delay in setting up of ‘bakra mandi’ for Bakrid, to be celebrated on July 21, has led to confusion among buyers and traders.
Temporary markets are held every year at several places in the district ahead of Bakrid for the sale of goats for sacrifice. No major market was set up last year due to Covid-19 restrictions. Traditionally, such markets are organised at Mehndi Ghat and IIM road.
The permission to set up a market in the areas under jurisdiction of Lucknow Police Commissionerate is given by the police and by the district administration in the rural areas.
Commissioner of police, Lucknow, DK Thakur, said all the protocols pertaining to setting up of ‘bakra mandi’ were being discussed with officials and would be released soon. “Import of goats from other states is not allowed this year because of Covid-19 pandemic. The decision regarding ‘bakra mandi’ will be taken after we receive directives from state authorities,” an officer of Lucknow district administration said.
Mohammad Abrar, one of the organisers of such mandis, said: “Traders are worried because the goats of exotic breed are costly and majority of buyers come from neighboring states a week in advance.”
Some traders have set up makeshift shops on IIM road without taking permission. One of them, Asif Ali, said, “I have eight exotic and 15 local breed goats. We have started selling them at our own risk.”
