The Pabna district administration and National Security Intelligence (NSI) conducted joint raids in Ishwardi and Pabna Sadar on Saturday, penalizing fuel traders for creating artificial crises through illegal stockpiling and price gouging.
Acting Ishwardi Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Asaduzzaman Sarkar led the operation under the direction of the Pabna Deputy Commissioner. During the drive at Messrs. Karim Petroleum Agency on Ishwardi Thana Road, officials discovered 6,420 liters of petrol and octane, along with nearly 100 gas cylinders, stored illegally.
The mobile court fined the establishment Tk 20,000 for several irregularities, including hoarding, selling fuel at inflated prices, and providing short measures. The court ordered the immediate sale of the seized stock at government-fixed rates.
In a separate raid at Tebunia Bazar in Pabna Sadar, an oil trader named Mohammad Ali was fined Tk 30,000 for overcharging customers. Authorities seized his stock and arranged for it to be sold to the public at fair prices.
"These operations will continue to prevent consumer fraud and ensure stability in the fuel and gas market," said UNO Asaduzzaman Sarkar.
