Five Villages’ Farmers Forced Out of Homes After Case Filed Over Fertiliser Protest in Kurigram

 ❐ District Representative

The movement for fair fertilizer demand in Bhurungamari Upazila of Kurigram has now become a nightmare for farmers. Farmers in at least five villages are now homeless due to fear of arrest in cases filed in connection with the movement.

They are unable to sleep in their homes at night due to fear of police raids; even though they have the opportunity to work in the fields during the day, they spend the whole night at relatives’ houses or in hiding. As a result, the cultivation of Aman rice and winter vegetables in the area has faced an extreme crisis.

The incident began on September 7. Hundreds of farmers started a protest in front of fertilizer dealer Amjad Hossain’s shop in Kuti village of Gonai, Bangasonahat Union, alleging a shortage of fertilizer.

There were allegations that farmers were being given only 5 to 7 kg of fertilizer despite the high demand for fertilizer during the Aman season. Out of nepotism and anger over not receiving fertilizer despite repeated visits, farmers blocked the road by setting fire to bamboo and garbage.

While trying to bring the situation under control, Upazila Agriculture Officer Abdul Jabbar was blocked by farmers for some time. Later, the police went to rescue him.

The day after the incident, on September 8, the agriculture officer filed a case with Bhurungamari police station. The case named 11 people and named 50 to 60 unidentified people as accused.

The case has spread panic in the area. Two farmers, Al Amin Molla (47) and Suruj Mia (45), who were already arrested, have been released on bail after eight days in custody.

Al Amin’s wife, Rowshan Ara, said they had to spend about 20,000 taka to get her husband released, which was a big burden for their family.

Currently, the situation is tense in five villages of Bangasonahat Union. Farmers are not able to accept any stranger easily. When journalists introduce themselves, farmers first try to run away, mistaking them for plainclothes police.

Farmers Kalim Uddin (62) and Shiuli Begum of Kuti village in Gonai said that the male members of the family are spending the night elsewhere due to fear of lawsuits. The farmers are not getting work opportunities even during the peak season of Aman fields and brinjal cultivation.

They are not even able to apply for anticipatory bail due to fear of the cost.

According to public representative and former local chairman Shahjahan Ali Mollah, such dissatisfaction arises every year over the artificial shortage of fertilizer.

Even though such strict action has not been taken against the farmers’ movement anywhere else in the country, poor farmers are being harassed by filing cases in this upazila. They demanded the immediate withdrawal of the case.

However, Upazila Agriculture Officer Abdul Jabbar accused him of assault and left the matter in the hands of the police.

On the other hand, Bhurungamari Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Azim Uddin and Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Amrita Debnath denied any major raids or farmers being evicted from their homes.

The OC said that only the real culprits are being identified by looking at the video footage. Kurigram Deputy Commissioner Annapurna Debnath assured that no innocent person has reason to fear and the administration is monitoring the matter.

Farmers demand that they be given the opportunity to work in their fields and receive fertilizer at a fair price without any harassment.