BAGMARA, RAJSHAHI, Apr 8: Fuel supply in Bagmara Upazila has returned to normal following a series of mobile court drives at the start of April.
Within the first three days of the month, 27 cases were filed and fines imposed, alongside round-the-clock monitoring of filling stations.
During the drives, authorities checked motorcycle registration papers and driving licences at several stations. Long queues quickly disappeared as unlicensed vehicles were barred from collecting fuel. Only valid vehicles and licensed drivers were allowed to purchase oil.
The raids were conducted at Bhabaniganj Filling Station, Shikdari Filling Station, Hatgangpara Filling Station, and Sohel Filling Station in Mochmoil Bazar. Executive Magistrate and Assistant Commissioner (Land) Saiful Islam Bhuiyan led the operations, filing 27 cases and fining vehicle owners Tk 30,000 under the Road Transport Act, 2018. As a result, pressure on filling stations eased significantly.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mahbubul Islam also fined traders for illegally hoarding fuel and deployed guards to ensure uninterrupted supply. On 23 March, he fined Rokeya Filling Station Tk 30,000 and Hatgangpara Filling Station Tk 40,000 during separate raids. Alongside penalties, drives were carried out at retail shops to prevent overpricing.
Local residents confirmed that the situation has improved. Jahid Sardar, a grocery trader in Shikdari Bazar, said fuel is now available regularly. Motorcyclist Mizan Sheikh echoed the same, while farmer Momtaz Prang from Majgram reported receiving diesel for his irrigation engine. A staff member at Rokeya Filling Station, requesting anonymity, admitted that the station was often closed earlier, but since the UNO's intervention, it remains open as long as fuel is available.
UNO Mahbubul Islam stated that some unscrupulous traders had attempted to create an artificial crisis by exploiting global factors to maximise profits. "We have stopped that through continuous raids. Mobile courts are active at four filling stations, and supply is being monitored by designated officers," he said.
The coordinated enforcement has restored confidence among consumers, with Bagmara's oil market returning to normalcy after weeks of disruption.
