Hidden Diesel Cache Unearthed in Natore

Authorities in the Singra upazila of Natore district have uncovered a large quantity of diesel secretly stored in an underground water tank, amid allegations that the fuel had been hoarded to create an artificial shortage in the local market. A mobile court fined a trader 5,000 taka after discovering nearly 10,000 litres of diesel concealed beneath the ground.

The operation took place on Saturday afternoon (7 March) in the Ningoin area of Singra municipality. The raid was conducted by Abdullah Al Rifat, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and Executive Magistrate, who led the mobile court during the enforcement drive.

According to local administrative sources, the operation was launched following intelligence reports suggesting that certain traders were stockpiling fuel in an attempt to manipulate supply and raise prices. Acting on this information, the authorities carried out a search in the Bhatopara neighbourhood of Ningoin.

During the raid, officials discovered a large underground water tank that had been repurposed as an illicit storage facility. Inside the tank, they found approximately 10,000 litres of diesel. Investigators suspected that the fuel had been hidden to control the local supply and potentially sell it later at inflated prices.

Following the discovery, the mobile court fined Md Rubel, proprietor of Sotota Traders located near the Singra Police Station intersection. He was found guilty of storing diesel in an unauthorised manner. Under the provisions of the Petroleum Act, 2016, the court imposed a fine of 5,000 taka for improper storage of petroleum products.

Officials also ordered Rubel to transfer the recovered diesel to his licensed retail shop within the following day and to comply strictly with the regulations governing the storage and sale of petroleum products.

Several government officials were present during the operation, including Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer Md Shahadat Hossain, Upazila Agriculture Officer Khandakar Farid, and Upazila Livestock Officer Md Tashriful Islam, among others. Their presence was part of a broader administrative effort to ensure fair market practices and prevent irregularities in the distribution of essential commodities.

Meanwhile, the district administration carried out additional market monitoring operations in Sherkol and Hatiandah bazaars within the same upazila. During those inspections, three shopkeepers were fined a total of 8,000 taka for violating provisions of the Consumer Rights Protection Act, 2009, particularly sections 37, 38, and 42, which deal with unfair business practices and consumer protection violations.

Executive Magistrate Mahmudul Hasan Dipu led the market inspections on behalf of the district administration.

Speaking about the operation, UNO Abdullah Al Rifat stated that the authorities had received credible intelligence indicating that some unscrupulous traders were attempting to engineer an artificial shortage of fuel in order to sell it at higher prices.

He clarified that although the trader involved possessed permission to handle fuel, he had failed to follow proper procedures and safety regulations when storing the diesel. “The penalty was imposed because the fuel was stored illegally and outside approved facilities,” he said.

Officials emphasised that the administration will continue conducting similar drives to prevent hoarding, market manipulation, and illegal storage of fuel and other essential commodities.

Below is a summary of the key findings of the operation:

Local authorities reiterated that strict monitoring of fuel distribution and storage will continue in order to ensure stable supply and protect consumers from price manipulation.