Farmers in arrest panic after protest demanding fertilizer

A case has been filed on the allegation of attack on an agriculture officer over the incident of protest and road blockade demanding fertilizer in Bhurungamari of Kurigram. Besides mentioning the names of 11 persons, another 50 unidentified persons have been made accused in the case. In the meantime police have arrested two persons. Due to the unidentified accused general farmers are also now in panic of arrest and harassment.

On September 7 several hundred farmers gathered in front of a fertilizer dealer’s warehouse at Shahid Mor of Bangasonahat Union to buy fertilizer. The farmers alleged that fertilizer was not available as per demand. Along with this, allegation of nepotism and giving multiple bags of fertilizer to some persons in exchange of money also arose.

At one stage the farmers blocked the road by placing bamboo and lighting fire. Getting the news Upazila Agriculture Officer Abdul Jabbar went to the spot and tried to control the situation. At that time allegation arose that some persons in the crowd confined and attacked the agriculture officer and an assistant agriculture officer.

Later Agriculture Officer Abdul Jabbar filed a case as plaintiff at Bhurungamari police station. Besides mentioning the names of 11 persons, another 50 unidentified persons have been made accused in the case. Police have already arrested two persons.

Several farmers present at the time of the incident informed that the protest started from the anger of not getting fertilizer. They alleged that although general farmers did not get fertilizer even after going several times, some influential and capable persons got larger quantities of fertilizer. Amid this anger some people instigated attack on the agriculture officers.

One farmer alleged that after the case was filed many farmers are not staying at home at night due to the panic of police arrest. Although they work in the field during the day, they are staying in various places at night.

Another farmer said at the time of the incident he had tried to provide security to the agriculture officer and the assistant agriculture officer. He claimed that measures should be taken against those who attacked, but fear has been created among general farmers due to the unidentified accused.

Officer-in-Charge of Bhurungamari police station Azim Uddin said a case has been filed on the allegation of obstructing government work and attack on the agriculture officer. Two persons have been arrested and efforts are ongoing to arrest the other accused.

However, police have called on innocent farmers not to be panicked. The OC said the actual culprits will be identified by analysing the video footage of the spot. No innocent person will be arrested.