A mobile court on Saturday in Singra upazila of Natore fined a fuel trader Tk 5,000 for illegally storing about 10,000 litres of diesel in an underground water tank hidden in a bamboo grove.

The trader, identified as Rubel Hossain, was also instructed to sell the seized diesel in the open market at the government fixed pric.

The drive was carried out in the afternoon as part of efforts to prevent an artificial fuel shortage during the ongoing Boro season.

Led by Singra Upazila Nirbahi Officer Abdullah Al Rifat, the upazila administration conducted surprise inspections at four petrol pumps in Jamtali, Ningoin and the bus terminal area.

During the operation, acting on a tip off, officials raided the Bhatopara area of Ningoin.

They found an underground water tank filled with around 10,000 litres of diesel hidden beneath a bamboo grove south of a local mosque.

The mobile court fined Rubel Hossain for illegally storing fuel and creating a possible artificial shortage.

Officials also checked the fuel stock at the petrol pumps during the drive.

The UNO directed pump owners not to harass farmers during the Boro season and to supply fuel according to government instructions.

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Singra Upazila Agriculture Officer Khandakar Farid confirmed the operation.

According to the agriculture office, Boro paddy has been cultivated on about 36,600 hectares of land in Singra upazila this season.

Around 14,350 diesel powered irrigation engines are being used to irrigate the fields.