DHAKA: Hard-hit by their business crash, meat traders of the city threatened movement if the government failed to pacify the panic of anthrax and make the meat trade normal within 15 days.

They issued the ultimatum from a discussion at Gabtoli on Friday afternoon.

“The capital will be paralyzed if no steps are taken by this time,” said President of Bangladesh Meat Traders Association Golam Mortuza Montu.

“No anthrax patient has been found yet in the city and it is the media and the government who are creating panic over the disease,” he said.

He also claimed that anthrax is a ‘minor’ disease.

Besides, Mortuza criticized the Health Minister’s advice for people not to eat beef for some days.

Veterinary doctors of Dhaka City Corporation, meat traders, domestic animal traders and leaders of Bangladesh Leather Traders Association attended the discussion.

BDST: 2149 HRS. SEPTEMBER 17, 2010