A chaotic situation erupted during a government-subsidized fertilizer distribution in Chaikola union, Chatmohar Upazila of Pabna and resulting in the looting of 611 sacks of fertilizer.
The incident occurred on Monday afternoon outside a tin-shed structure near the Chaikola Union Parishad office where dealer Pradip Kumar Pal was distributing supplies to local farmers. According to eyewitnesses, a dispute broke out among farmers waiting in line, quickly escalating into vandalism and the forceful looting of the stock.
An official inventory later revealed that out of 1,181 total sacks, 170 had been legally distributed and 400 remained secured, leaving 611 sacks missing.
Top local administration officials including Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Khalid Hasan, Department of Agricultural Extension Deputy Director Jahangir Alam Pramanik and Chatmohar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Oliur Rahman, rushed to the scene to restore order. Authorities used public address systems to urge individuals to return the looted fertilizer.
Pabna Deputy Commissioner Aminul Islam assured the public that the district faces no actual fertilizer shortage. Police have initiated formal legal proceedings against those involved in the vandalism and theft.
