, May 22 -- ul-Azha just six days away, cattle markets across Naogaon have turned busy with thousands of sacrificial animals arriving every day.

But behind the festive preparations, farmers are facing growing anxiety over rising production costs and fears of illegal cattle influx from India through the border.

This year, farmers in the district have prepared nearly twice the number of animals needed to meet local demand.

According to the District Livestock Department, around 38,909 small and large farmers across 11 upazilas have reared nearly 8 lakh cows, buffaloes, goats and sheep for Eid.

The district's demand for sacrificial animals is estimated at 3.87 lakh, while more than 4.10 lakh surplus cattle are expected to be supplied to o...