STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The fact that unauthorized trade in fertilizer is continuing in the State was laid bare on Saturday with the seizure of an illegal consignment of 250 bags of urea by personnel of the Gorchuk Police Station.
The seizure was made after interception of a Tata Ultra truck (AS18AC1821) at the Gorchuk Chariali. The driver of the truck, one Zahirul Islam, has been arrested, police sources said.
The truck was bound for Meghalaya from Barpeta, the sources said, adding that the driver could not produce any documents relating to the consignment.
It may be mentioned that Special DGP (Law and Order) GP Singh had earlier issued a directive to all Superintendents of Police to crack down on illegal trade in Assam-quota fertilizers. Subsequently, the Crime Branch of Guwahati police held discussions with fertilizer dealers, wholesalers and transporters of Guwahati and sought information regarding the fertilizer traders' and transporters' turnover, where they sell the fertilizers and whether Assam-quota urea is being sent outside the State.
Smuggling of urea by a section of unscrupulous businessmen in cahoots with some Government officials has been going on in the State for a long time. Sources said that a coterie smuggles out urea to several neighbouring countries, including Myanmar. The demand for urea is rising fast due to the mushroom growth of plywood and other industries in the neighbouring countries, they said. Plywood and some other industries use urea during the manufacturing process.
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