2,800 litres of illegally stored fuel seized in Jamalpur

Authorities have uncovered 2,800 litres of fuel hidden at a filling station in Jamalpur following a protest by hundreds of motorcyclists who blocked a major highway after being denied service, report agencies
The drive was conducted at M/S Jui Enterprise in the city's PTI intersection area on Saturday morning, led by Assistant Commissioner BMSR Alif.
The situation escalated early Saturday when over a hundred motorcyclists gathered at the pump, claiming they knew a fresh supply of fuel had arrived from the depot the previous night.
Despite waiting in line since dawn, the pump authorities refused to sell the oil, claiming they were out of stock.
Frustrated bikers blocked the Jamalpur-Tangail highway around 9am, bringing traffic to a complete standstill.
The blockade was eventually cleared after Additional Superintendent of Police Sohail Mahmud and Alif arrived at the scene, initiating an immediate raid.
The mobile court found approximately 2,800 litres of petrol stored in 12 drums hidden within the establishment.
"The pump was creating an artificial crisis by hoarding fuel while hundreds of citizens waited outside," said Alif.
The pump was fined Tk 50,000.
This incident is the latest in a series of steps the government has taken to address a fuel shortage fear that has taken hold of life in Bangladesh.
In recent weeks, motorists across the country have been seen lining up at petrol stations in long queues, often stretching for kilometres.
Meanwhile, a businessman has been fined for illegally storing fuel oil, including petrol and octane, in Panchuria area of the district town.
M/s Ganga Motors was fined Tk 9,000 following a drive conducted on Saturday afternoon by the Executive Magistrate of the District Administration and Mobile Court Judge Fardeen Khan Prince.
During the operation, authorities seized 1,500 liters of fuel oil from the premises of Ganga Motors.
Speaking at the scene, the Executive Magistrate said the drive was based on secret information regarding illegal fuel storage intended to create an artificial market crisis.
He added that such enforcement drives would continue in the future to prevent similar irregularities and ensure market stability.