Fertiliser syndicate active again: 4500 bag urea intercepted from 5 trucks in Katigorah

Illegal trafficking of subsidized fertilizers in Assam seems to be resumed after a break, as Assam Police have again intercepted a large consignment of illegal urea fertilizer today at Cachar’s Katigora.

The seized consignment was meant for smuggling to Myanmar. Assam Police have seized 4500 sacks of subsidized urea fertilizer of 45 kg each from five trucks in Katigorah, and also detained 11 persons including the pilots, and assistants of the seized vehicles. Registration number of the seized trucks are NL 01AC 9716, WB 59B 7075, RJ 02GB 5759, RJ 02GB 7573, and RJ 02GA 8657. The valuation of the seized fertilizer is in crores.

“We don’t know who is the owner and to whom we will deliver these consignments, we have only the phone number,” told one detained person of the seized trucks. Police have kept them in Katigorah PS for further interrogation.

Silchar is located along the silk route of the trafficking of illegal narcotics, and fertilizers to Myanmar via Mizoram. Since last year Assam Police have been proactive and cracked down heavily on the trafficking of illegal narcotics, fertilizers, cigarettes, and Burmese nuts through Cachar. Many people associated with trafficking were arrested and put behind the bar. Despite the crackdowns, the trafficking of illegal consignments is still thriving and adapting newer means.

In September 2021, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma had told that there is a scarcity of urea in Assam due to the trafficking and black-marketing. The tea industry is facing the wrath of this scarcity, he informed. He had also accused the Department of Agriculture of being not vigilant enough about the situation. The demand for urea is high in Myanmar because of the booming plywood industry there. Plywood and some other industries need urea during the manufacturing process. Some unscrupulous businessmen and big shots are also part of this trafficking racket.

Another large consignment of urea was intercepted at the end of January this year in Lailapur Checkgate in Cachar. SP Cachar Dr. Ramandeep Kaur had initiated an investigation into the matter and there were allegations of involvement of some police personnel in the racket.