A joint enforcement operation conducted across several areas of Chattogram and Feni has led to the seizure of 48,500 litres of furnace oil, recovery of government land, eviction of illegal establishments from footpaths, and the imposition of substantial fines for multiple regulatory breaches.
The coordinated drive was carried out on Sunday, 12 April, under the supervision of the Chattogram unit of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). The operation was executed with the involvement of executive and judicial magistrates and supported by the Bangladesh Army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Bangladesh Police, Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC), and the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI).
According to officials, the operation targeted a range of irregularities including the illegal stockpiling of edible oil and petroleum products, production of food items in unhygienic environments, and unauthorised occupation of government land and public footpaths. Authorities stated that intelligence reports had indicated that certain traders were involved in hoarding essential commodities such as edible oil, octane, diesel, and furnace oil, allegedly contributing to artificial market shortages.
During the enforcement action, mobile courts imposed fines totalling Tk 466,000 on various establishments found in violation of applicable regulations. The penalties were issued under multiple categories of offences, including expired business licences, unsafe storage conditions for oil, pricing irregularities in fuel sales, and the use of unstamped or improper weighing and measuring equipment.
Further fines were imposed for the production and storage of food items without valid expiry information, maintenance of unhygienic production facilities, and the use of counterfeit seals. These violations collectively resulted in penalties amounting to Tk 285,000. An additional Tk 127,000 was imposed for breaches relating to licensing and operational compliance issues.
Separate action was taken against encroachment activities, where Tk 54,000 in fines was imposed for the illegal occupation of government land and footpaths. In the same drive, nine makeshift shops were removed to restore public access to pedestrian pathways.
RAB officials confirmed that 12 acres of government land were recovered during the operation. They also stated that 48,500 litres of furnace oil were seized from a facility allegedly engaged in the import, transport, storage, and processing of unrefined fuel without the necessary authorisation.
Assistant Director of RAB in Chattogram, A.R.M. Mozzaffar Hossain, noted that the seized fuel and enforcement actions were part of broader efforts to address regulatory violations in essential commodity markets and public space management.
Joint Operation Overview
| Category | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Date of Operation | 12 April |
| Areas Covered | Chattogram and Feni |
| Lead Agency | Rapid Action Battalion |
| Supporting Agencies | Army, BGB, Police, BPC, BSTI, Magistrates |
| Furnace Oil Seized | 48,500 litres |
| Government Land Recovered | 12 acres |
| Footpath Shops Removed | 9 |
| Total Fines Imposed | Tk 466,000 |
| Major Violations | Hoarding, licensing breaches, unsafe storage, counterfeit seals, encroachment |
Officials indicated that similar coordinated drives would continue to prevent market disruption and ensure compliance with safety, licensing, and land-use regulations.