Farmers in Kurigram’s Ulipur upazila staged a road blockade on Tuesday, burning tyres and halting traffic to demand the timely distribution of essential agricultural fertilisers. The demonstration, which took place at around 11:30 am in the Anantapur Bazar area under Hatiya union, left the regional highway connecting Hatiya and Raniganj unions with the district town completely gridlocked for nearly an hour and a half.

The unrest began at the local dealership, M/S Sufia Enterprise, where hundreds of growers had gathered from early morning following assurances that chemical fertilisers would be distributed. Tensions flared when distribution failed to commence by 9:30 am, well past the scheduled 8:00 am start time. Frustrated by the delay and fearing severe shortages during a critical phase of the cropping season, the waiting crowd took to the streets, setting fire to tyres and bringing local transport to a standstill.

The regional blockade highlights an escalating wave of agricultural discontent across northern Bangladesh. Over recent weeks, Kurigram and surrounding districts have witnessed repeated protests, incidents of local warehouse break-ins, and even the confinement of government agriculture officers by growers struggling to secure basic inputs like urea, triple superphosphate (TSP), and muriate of potash (MoP). For smallholder farmers reliant on precise sowing schedules, even a brief interruption in fertiliser supply risks devastating crop yields and worsening financial distress.

Order was eventually restored after the Ulipur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), A T M Arif, alongside officials from the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) and local police, arrived at the scene. Following assurances from the administration and the immediate resumption of sales, the protesters withdrew their blockade, allowing traffic to resume.

Explaining the delay, Shamsul Alam, manager of M/S Sufia Enterprise, cited overwhelming crowd numbers and safety concerns, noting that staff sought administrative support before opening the gates. Upazila Agriculture Officer Shahidul Islam acknowledged that the sheer volume of growers created operational difficulties, but confirmed that distribution was subsequently completed under official supervision. UNO Arif added that the administration remains committed to maintaining a steady supply chain to prevent further disruptions across the district.