The upazila administration in Singra, Natore, on Saturday uncovered 10,000 liters of fuel oil buried underground during a raid targeting illegal stockpiling and attempts to create an artificial fuel shortage.
The operation took place around 2:00 pm in the Ningain area of Singra municipality.
A mobile court, led by Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Abdullah Al Rifat, fined the trader responsible Tk 5 thousand for illegally storing the fuel.
Officials said intelligence reports indicated that fuel oil was being stored in a water tank buried under a bamboo grove south of the Bhatopara Mosque. The tank contained 10,000 liters of oil, owned by Md Rubel, proprietor of Satata Traders near Singra Police Station intersection. He was fined for storing the fuel without following proper procedures and ordered to transfer it to a diesel depot by Sunday.
The raid was conducted in the presence of senior officials, including Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer Md Shahadat Hossain, Upazila Agriculture Officer Khandaker Farid, and Upazila Livestock Officer Md Tashriful Islam.
In a related operation at Sherkol and Hatiandah markets, three shopkeepers were fined a total of Tk 8 thousand for violating the Consumer Rights Protection Act, with Executive Magistrate Mahmudul Hasan Dipu overseeing the mobile court.
UNO Abdullah Al Rifat said that some unscrupulous traders were attempting to create an artificial fuel shortage to sell at higher prices.
“While the trader has permission to stockpile fuel, this fine was imposed for illegal storage without following proper procedures. Regular raids and intelligence monitoring by the upazila administration will continue,” he added.
Rezaul Karim Reza/MHK