Hyderabad, June 2 -- While the state police higher ups have assured full protection and security to cattle traders before Bakrid in the city to conduct their business peacefully, complaints from traders about organized gangs and corrupt policemen extorting them unabated in the run up tothe festival.

A few weeks before Bakrid, cattle markets are set up at Jalpally, Pahadishareef, Rajendranagar, Chanchalguda, Falaknuma, Barkas, Tolichowki, Khilwat, Petlaburj, Langer Houz, Bandlaguda, Jahanuma playground, Mallepally, and Yakutpura.

"I set up a makeshift shop to sell sheep on a footpath at Chanchalguda road on Sunday. After a few minutes, a group of people came to the place and demanded Rs. 5000 for setting up at the place. Now that I had a...