They spoke at a meeting of the District Community Motivation Committee, held at the Deputy Commissioner's conference room. The committee has been formed to resist creation of artificial crisis of fuel and fertiliser.

DC Rabindranath Roy Chowdhury informed the meeting that about 26,000 diesel-run shallow irrigation pumps are in operation in the district in the current Irri-Boro season. About 50 percent of the pumps run on alternate days and they consume about 55,000 litres of diesel a day, he said.

The DC informed the meeting that, the stock of diesel in the district yesterday was 1,38,000 litres, leaving a surplus of 83,000 litres on the day. He also said dealers were selling diesel at the government fixed rate of Tk 30.40 per litre.

BNP General Secretary Anisul Arefin Chowdhury differed with him, meeting sources said.

He said that just outside the municipality, per litre diesel was being sold at Tk 37.

To this, the DC asked, "Where such a rate exists?"

Journalist Md. Abdullah, who was present at the meeting then said, "In Ramganj market, only seven kilometres from the district town, diesel was sold at Tk 37 per litre", the sources said.

Then the DC said Magistrates were frequently monitoring fuel prices and he did not receive any report on price hike of diesel.

At that stage, ADC (General) Md. Alefuddin told the meeting that small traders in remote areas might be selling diesel at a price only Tk 2 higher than the government fixed price only to cover the transport cost.

Nilphamari district Muktijudhdha Sangsad Commander Shamsul Islam then pose the question: If there is no diesel crisis, why farmers are bringing out processions with empty containers?"

Saidpur Municipality Chairman and Awami League leader Akhtar Hossain Badal also asked the same question.

The DC did not answer these questions.