KURIGRAM, Bangladesh — August 23- Farmers broke into the warehouse of an authorized fertilizer dealer in northern Bangladesh on Sunday and took away 197 bags of urea and MOP fertilizer, amid allegations of artificial shortages and sales above government-set prices.
The incident occurred around midday at Dhaldanga Bazar in Shilkhuri Union of Bhurungamari Upazila, Kurigram district.
Police and local political leaders were present as tensions escalated. Additional police were later deployed to restore order, according to local authorities.
The warehouse belonged to M/s Shah Amanat Enterprise, an authorized BCIC fertilizer dealer. Farmers who had gathered to collect fertilizer reportedly became angry after some said they were unable to obtain supplies. Several farmers then broke through the warehouse’s corrugated metal fencing and removed fertilizer bags.
Some farmers later returned bags they had taken. Police said 58 of the 197 bags had been recovered by Sunday afternoon, while most remained unaccounted for.
Farmers allege overpricing
Farmers who returned empty-handed alleged that they had been searching for fertilizer for several days and accused the dealer of selling part of the union’s allocated supply to retailers.
They claimed that fertilizer officially priced at Tk 1,300 per bag was being sold by traders for between Tk 1,800 and Tk 1,900.
The farmers also said the shortage was threatening crop production.
The dealer, Taifur Rahman Mukul, denied responsibility for the incident and said farmers had surrounded him while preparations were underway to distribute fertilizer.
He said the warehouse was broken into and 197 bags of urea and MOP fertilizer were taken. Mukul said he planned to file a case over the incident.
Authorities investigate allegations
Upazila Agriculture Officer Abdul Jabbar rejected the allegations of a fertilizer shortage and said there was no shortage in Shilkhuri Union. He also disputed claims that fertilizer was being sold above the government-fixed price.
However, an inspection conducted by the upazila administration later found evidence supporting at least part of the farmers’ complaints.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer Amrit Deb Nath conducted a mobile court operation following the incident and found a dealer selling fertilizer to retail traders rather than directly to farmers. The dealer was fined Tk 5,000.
“We are conducting inspections while giving serious consideration to the farmers’ complaints,” the UNO said.
Police warn of legal action
Bhurungamari Police Station Officer-in-Charge Azim Uddin said the incident occurred as farmers feared that not everyone would receive fertilizer.
Police brought the situation under control and began efforts to recover the remaining bags.
“If the stolen fertilizer is not returned, legal action will be taken,” Azim Uddin said.
The incident highlights growing tensions over access to agricultural inputs as farmers seek timely fertilizer supplies during the cultivation season.
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