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Farmers allegedly broke the shutter and tin fencing of a fertiliser dealer’s warehouse in Roumari, Kurigram, and took around 150 sacks of fertiliser amid growing tensions over fertiliser distribution.
However, local administration officials denied that any fertiliser had been looted, saying the situation was brought under control and fertiliser was being distributed peacefully.
The incident occurred around 11am on Monday (September 7) at the warehouse of Mita Hasan Traders near Mohila College Mor in Bandaber Union.
According to local sources, farmers had been waiting outside the warehouse since midnight to collect fertiliser. At around 9am, dealer Motiur Rahman told them that fertiliser would be distributed after police arrived.
When no police arrived even after about two hours, agitated farmers allegedly broke the warehouse shutter and tin fencing around 11am and took around 150 sacks of fertiliser. Videos and reports of the incident subsequently spread on social media.
Dealer Motiur Rahman said fertiliser distribution was scheduled to begin at around 9:30am, but he went to the upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) seeking administrative assistance as the situation became tense.
“Meanwhile, impatient farmers took around 150 sacks of urea fertiliser from the warehouse around 11am. The exact number can be confirmed after the stock is counted at the end of the day,” he said.
However, Upazila Agriculture Officer Mahbubul Alam Basunia denied any incident of fertiliser looting.
“No fertiliser was looted. Distribution is taking place peacefully. The reports circulating on Facebook about fertiliser looting are not correct,” he said.
He added that open-market fertiliser sales would be introduced from Tuesday to ease the situation and counter rumours surrounding fertiliser shortages.
Roumari Circle Assistant Superintendent of Police Russel Kabir also denied reports of looting. He said many van and rickshaw pullers, as well as people who were not farmers, had gathered to collect fertiliser and created disorder.
He alleged that some of them were attempting to collect fertiliser and resell it at higher prices.
Roumari upazila BNP convener said a group was deliberately creating a crisis and causing disorder, adding that efforts were underway to identify those involved.
UNO Md Mahbubul Hasan said he had personally visited several fertiliser dealer points to monitor the situation.
“Law enforcement personnel are also working in the field to keep the situation under control. There was some disorder at one fertiliser sales point, but members of the administration went there and brought the situation under control,” he said.
Police and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel were also patrolling the area to maintain law and order.
