A mobile court has fined and jailed four traders in Singra, Natore, on charges of illegally hoarding fertilizer to create an artificial shortage and sell it at inflated prices. Authorities seized 261 sacks of fertilizer from their shops during the operation, and a total of 80,000 taka in fines was collected from the four traders.
The operation was carried out from 9 p.m. to midnight on Tuesday (Sept. 8) at Bargram Bazar in Dahia union of the upazila.
The mobile court was conducted under the Fertilizer Management Act. It was presided over by Singra Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Nishat Anjum, who handed down the sentences.
Eight sacks of fertilizer were seized from trader Sohel Hossain’s shop, and he was fined 10,000 taka. Trader Abdus Salam had 53 sacks seized and was fined 20,000 taka.
Trader Abul Hashem had 53 sacks seized and, in addition to a 20,000-taka fine, was sentenced to seven days of simple imprisonment. Another trader, Mobarak, had 147 sacks seized and was fined 30,000 taka along with seven days of simple imprisonment.
In total, 261 sacks of fertilizer were seized and 80,000 taka in fines was collected from the four traders during the operation.
Singra Upazila Agriculture Officer Khondaker Farid Hasan was present during the operation.
Nishat Anjum, Singra Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate, said, “If farmers are harassed through illegal fertilizer hoarding to create an artificial crisis or through overpricing, strict action will be taken against those responsible under the law. Such operations will continue in the interest of farmers.”