Several hundred farmers blocked Rajshahi-Chapainawabganj highway and staged a demonstration at Hatnabad in Godagari upazila of Rajshahi on Monday over allegations of not receiving DAP (di-ammonium phosphate) fertiliser.
The blockade caused long queues of vehicles on both sides of the highway. The farmers withdrew their blockade after approximately 30 minutes following intervention by the upazila administration and police.
According to sources, BCIC fertiliser dealer M/S Manik Traders and BADC dealer M/S Mosharraf Hossain are located side by side in Hatnabad area. On Monday morning, Habibur Rahman, proprietor of Manik Traders, sold 150 bags of DAP fertiliser.
A further 150 bags of DAP fertiliser were scheduled to be sold in the afternoon from the adjacent warehouse of Mosharraf Hossain.
However, as the number of farmers present exceeded the available stock, uncertainty arose over whether everyone would receive fertiliser, prompting farmers to take position on the highway and protest.
Upon receiving news of the demonstration, Israt Jahan, upazila executive officer (UNO), Mariam Ahmed, upazila agriculture officer, and Sujan Miya, officer-in-charge (OC) of Godagari Police Station, went to the spot and spoke to the protesting farmers.
The farmers lifted the blockade after the officials assured them that their complaints would be investigated, action would be taken, and fertiliser would be supplied according to demand.
Meanwhile, Habibur Rahman, dealer of Manik Traders, claimed there was no fertiliser crisis in the area, pointing instead to political rivalry behind the incident.
He alleged that Mahfuzur Rahman Dalim, member of the district Jubo Dal convening committee, failed to secure a new dealership, which was awarded to Mainul Haq, brother of Mahbur Rahman, organisational secretary of upazila BNP.
Habibur claimed that out of resentment over this decision, Dalim instigated the farmers to block the highway to create chaos.
However, Mahfuzur Rahman Dalim denied the allegations made by Habibur. Dalim said, “I went to calm the farmers down, heard abuse, was pushed and assaulted, and yet he is talking about me?.”
He claimed that several hundred farmers protested at the scene and that the situation was dire.
Speaking to the media, Israt Jahan, upazila executive officer, said the highway remained blocked for about half an hour, resulting in traffic congestion. She said officials went to the spot upon receiving the news and calmed the farmers.
She added that the administration holds a list of farmers who have commenced cultivation, and fertiliser will be supplied to everyone according to that list, following which assurances the farmers withdrew the blockade.
