A joint operation by upazila administration and police in Bhurungamari, Kurigram, recovered 42 sacks of fertilizer — totaling 2,150 kilograms — hidden in a rice granary, cattle shed and firewood loft. A mobile court fined two men 50,000 taka each, totaling 100,000 taka, on charges of illegally hoarding fertilizer to create an artificial shortage.
The separate raids were carried out late Thursday (Sept. 3) night in Islampur village, Char Bhurungamari union. The mobile court was conducted by Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Aminul Haque Tareq.
Upazila administration and police sources said that although there is no fertilizer shortage in the upazila during the current Aman season, some unscrupulous individuals were attempting to hoard fertilizer to create an artificial crisis. Based on specific intelligence, raids were conducted Thursday night at the homes of Belal Mia, son of the late Akbar Ali, and Manik Mia, son of Romij Uddin, both of Islampur village in Char Bhurungamari union.
Searches of the accused men’s cattle sheds, firewood lofts and rice granaries recovered 42 sacks of fertilizer, including 1,500 kilograms of urea and 650 kilograms of DAP.
Present during the operation were Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Aminul Haque Tareq, Upazila Agriculture Officer Abdul Jabbar, Assistant Superintendent of Police Muntasir Mamun Mun, Bhurungamari police station Officer-in-Charge Azim Uddin, and a police team.
Executive Magistrate Aminul Haque Tareq of the mobile court said Belal Mia and Manik Mia were each fined 50,000 taka, totaling 100,000 taka, under the Fertilizer Management Act, 2006, for illegally hoarding fertilizer without a license. The fine was collected in cash on the spot.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Muntasir Mamun Mun said police are maintaining strict monitoring of the fertilizer distribution process in the upazila, watching closely to prevent anyone from illegally profiting by hoarding fertilizer to create an artificial shortage.
Local farmers say that if strict punishment, including jail terms and fines, is ensured under the law for those involved in illegal fertilizer hoarding, such practices will decrease, allowing genuine farmers easier and timely access to fertilizer.