Staff Reporter:
Rumours of a sudden fuel shortage triggered long queues at filling stations across Thakurgaon on Wednesday and Thursday, with customers rushing to buy fuel and scuffles breaking out at some pumps.
Large crowds began gathering at filling stations from Wednesday afternoon and continued until late evening. Hundreds of motorcycle riders and other vehicle owners queued for fuel, while many customers waited for hours in the rain.
At Kalitala filling station in Sadar upazila, excessive pressure from customers led to pushing, arguments and brief fights, witnesses said.
On Thursday afternoon, long lines of motorcycles were still visible at several pumps. Customers said many people were buying more fuel than they actually needed after reports of a nationwide fuel crisis spread through social media and other channels.
Shamsher, a customer at Chowdhury Filling Station in Thakurgaon town, said
“If someone who needs only two or three litres tries to buy five or ten litres, it creates an unnecessary crisis. If everyone rushes to the pumps together, suffering is inevitable,” he said.
Chowdhury Filling Station cashier Md Masum said fuel supply from the depot remained normal and there was no shortage at the pump. “Many people came to buy fuel at the same time because of rumours. This has created temporary pressure, but there is no actual shortage,” he said.
Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate Naeem Ashraf of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office said, “There is no shortage of fuel oil anywhere in the district, including at the depot level.”
He urged residents not to believe rumours or stockpile fuel unnecessarily and asked them to rely on accurate information instead of creating panic.
