Gaibandha Correspondent

The administration has seized 72 sacks of various chemical fertilizers from the residence of a former UP chairman in Uttar Monduar village under Bonogram Union of Sadullapur Upazila in Gaibandha district. The accused has also been fined in connection with the incident.

The matter was confirmed on Tuesday afternoon by Sadullapur Assistant Commissioner (Land) Jasim Uddin. The raid was conducted on Monday night at the residence of former UP Chairman Shahin Sarkar in Uttar Monduar village.

The accused, Shahin Sarkar, 60, is a former chairman of Bonogram Union Parishad and son of the late Badiuzzaman Sarkar of Uttar Monduar village.

According to administrative sources, the fertilizers were allegedly being stored illegally at the house. During the operation, officials seized a total of 72 sacks of fertilizer, including 13 sacks of urea, 28 sacks of gypsum, 16 sacks of DAP, 13 sacks of TSP, and 2 sacks of potash. The estimated market value of the seized fertilizers is approximately Tk 56,700.

Local farmers have urged the authorities to continue regular drives against illegal fertilizer hoarding in order to prevent artificial shortages and price hikes. They emphasized the need for stricter monitoring to ensure that fertilizers allocated for farmers do not fall into the hands of unscrupulous traders.

However, Shahin Sarkar denied the allegation, saying, “We are marginal farmers. The fertilizers were not stored for sale or hoarding. They were kept for application in our transplanted Aman paddy fields.”

Assistant Commissioner (Land) Jasim Uddin said, “Strict legal action will be taken against anyone found illegally hoarding fertilizers allocated for farmers.