The New Nation - Internet Edition

Chittagong Correspondent

After an initial hesitation and reluctance, the large general stores in the port city have started withdrawing the eight foreign brands of melamine contaminated milk powder from markets as per directive of the High Court.

The High Court bench on Thursday prohibited the display and sale of eight foreign brands of toxic milk powder in the interest of public health.

But many of the ordinary grocers were found selling tainted milk powder defying the ban mainly on the ground of sustaining losses. They pointed out that while the distributors and owners of super markets get milk powder on credit the small traders and grocers have to buy them in cash." It will not cause any harm to the super market operators if they don't sell the banned powder milk as they have no cash involvement, but we the ordinary traders and grocers will suffer heavy financial losses if stop selling these brands" a representative of small grocers said wishing not be named.

Deputy Commissioner of Chittagong said the administration had virtually little to do against the sellers of banned milk powder before the true copy of the High Court's order was made available to them.

He,however, said that three vigilance teams led by three magistrates have been sent to the field to prevail on the sellers to refrain from displaying the selling the banned brands of milk powder. The vigilance teams have been visiting the super markets, general stores and grocery shops to stop the sale of toxic milk powder.

Some locals complained that the Chittagong Metropolitian Police is yet to swing into action to implement the high court order on toxic milk. Police action in stopping the display and sale of toxic milk powder was not seen in any market, big or small, according to them.

Additional District Magistrate Nurul Haque said they got information that some unscrupulous traders and importers were repacking toxic milk powder with ulterior motive. " We will certainly look into the issue and apply law against the greedy milk traders", he warned.