An increased price of cattle feed and additional transportation cost also contributed to the upswing in prices, cattle traders said.

"Expensive cattle feed, transport price hike and above all extortion have pushed prices further up compared to last year," said Nurul Amin, a trader from Sirajganj who brought 10 bulls at Panthapath cattle market.

"We have to pay a substantial amount of money to extortionists otherwise they would not let us bring our cattle into the city," said Nuruddin, a cattle trader from Manikganj.

Traders said sale picked up yesterday and is expected to double today as thousands of sacrificial animals swarmed the designated cattle markets and nearby roads.

Thousands more poured into the city throughout yesterday, by trucks, mechanised boats and on foot to join the already packed markets.

Sale will peak today and throughout the night as most buyers prefer to wait till the last moment looking to strike a better deal.

Meanwhile, some cattle traders have been mugged by organised gangs of criminals in the city. There have also been reports of buyers being robbed after being drugged unconscious.

Sources at Dhaka Medical College Hospital said 25 such victims, mostly from the city's largest Gabtoli cattle market, were hospitalised in last two days with drug-induced complications.

Apart from Gabtoli, many prospective buyers are also checking out other markets like the one at Panthapath.

"I came to this market on Wednesday when sales were insignificant. But now with two days before the Eid, the place is teeming with buyers and sellers," said Ataur Rahman, a trader at Panthapath cattle market. He said traders expected the rush to further intensify tomorrow, the day before Eid.

Mohammed Mostafa, a resident of the city's Mohammedpur area, was surveying market prices before making a final decision. "Yesterday, I went to Gabtoli but prices there were too high compared to last year," he said as he checked out prices at the Panthapath market.

Mahmudur Rahman from Dhanmondi bought a bull at Panthapath. " I have bought for Tk 17,000, which seems a bit higher than last year."

Dhaka's Mayor Sadek Hossain Khoka and State Minister for Home Lutfuzzaman Babar yesterday visited some cattle markets in the city and directed authorities to ensure complete discipline during transaction.

The mayor asked mobile courts to watch out for all types of extortion and harassment and ensure cleanliness.

He said market authorities were permitted to charge five percent of the sale price, adding that anyone found overcharging would be prosecuted.