Farmers block highways for fertiliser in Faridpur, Jessore

Farmers yesterday blocked highways in Faridpur and Jessore demanding adequate supply of fertilizer.In Faridpur, farmers barricaded the Dhaka Khulna highway at Modhukhali for about an hour in the morning, disrupting traffic, reports a correspondent. They put trees on the road to obstruct traffic, keeping several hundred vehicles stranded on both sides. Source there said over 1,000 farmers waited in a long queue in front of a dealers shop at Bagat Bazar since morning. Disappointed, their representatives went to Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO Kazi Ashraf Uddin. The UNO rushed to the spot and assured the farmers of smooth supply of fertiliser.On his assurance, the farmers withdrew the barricade. The UNO later told local journalists that there was no shortage of fertiliser. The problem was created due lack of coordination among dealers.In Jessore, farmers blocked the Jessore-Narail road at Dhalga Bazar in Bagharpara upazila for about two hours, reports a correspondent.Police said the farmers standing in a long queue became agitated as the dealer gave them only seven kilograms each. They demanded more but were refused. They then squatted on the road, obstructing traffic on it for about two hours from 9am. Upazila Nirbahi officer (UNO) Sayed Ali Ahsan, Upazila Agriculture officer Sheikh Hemayet and OC of Bagharpara upazila rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. The farmers withdraw the blockade following their assurance of adequate supply.