Farmers blocked a road in Bhurungamari, Kurigram, demanding fertilizer, before lifting the blockade after upazila administration officials intervened and assured them fertilizer would be distributed. Fertilizer was then distributed to farmers in the presence of police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Ansar personnel.
Farmers arriving Wednesday morning at Messrs Rakibul Traders, a BADC-approved fertilizer dealer point in the upazila’s Sonahat Bazar, learned that fertilizer distribution was not scheduled for that day. Angered by the news, more than 100 farmers blocked the Sonahat Land Port road in front of the dealer point and began protesting, causing long traffic jams on both sides of the road.
After being notified, Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Amrita Debnath, Upazila Agriculture Officer Abdul Jabbar, police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Azim Uddin, along with police and a BGB team from Sonahat camp, reached the scene and brought the situation under control. Abdullah Al Mamun, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension, Kurigram, also arrived at the scene.
Farmers lifted the road blockade after the UNO assured them fertilizer would be distributed. Distribution then began at Messrs Rakibul Traders in the presence of upazila administration, police, BGB and Ansar personnel.
Hazrat Ali, owner of Messrs Rakibul Traders, said: “According to the latest delivery order, I had received 235 bags of DAP, 95 bags of TSP and 90 bags of MOP fertilizer. Distribution was not scheduled at our dealer point Wednesday. When more than 100 farmers suddenly grew agitated, we distributed fertilizer with the administration’s help.”
Upazila Agriculture Officer Abdul Jabbar said Wednesday was not the scheduled distribution day at Rakibul Traders’ dealer point. Distribution of 300 bags of urea fertilizer had instead been scheduled at Messrs Janardan Traders, a BCIC fertilizer dealer near Sonahat camp. Because farmers created a disturbance, however, fertilizer was distributed from both dealer points under administration presence.
UNO Amrita Debnath said officials went to the scene after being notified and brought the situation under control. Fertilizer was then distributed to farmers in the presence of police, BGB and Ansar personnel. The situation is currently calm, she said, adding that there is no fertilizer shortage in the upazila.