Key Takeaways:

• Brothers arrested June 30 in Sitamarhi, Bihar
• Held under India's Fertiliser Control Order and Essential Commodities Act
• Family's 2.5 bighas of farmland left uncultivated during peak rice season
• Case highlights Nepal's persistent fertiliser shortages during planting.
• CDO Sarlahi says coordination underway with Indian authorities

SARLAHI, JULY 21 Two brothers from Sarlahi have been jailed in India after being arrested for allegedly transporting fertiliser across the border, highlighting the recurring shortage of chemical fertilisers in Nepal during the paddy plantation season. Suresh Prasad Singh, 55, and Nagendra Prasad Singh, 60, of Balara Municipality-5 were arrested on June 30 while returning from Sonbarsa in Sitamarhi district of Bihar with two sacks of urea and six sacks of DAP fertiliser purchased for use on their own farms. According to family members, the two were detained by a joint team of the Indian Agriculture Department and the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) on charges of illegally transporting subsidised fertiliser out of India. They were initially held at Sonbarsa Police Station before being sent to Dumra Jail in Sitamarhi. More than 20 days after their arrest, the brothers remain in custody. Family members said the court has sought necessary documents, but proceedings have been delayed as the presiding judge is on leave. The incident has also affected agricultural activities at home, with the family's 2.5 bighas of farmland reportedly remaining uncultivated during the peak rice planting season. India restricts the export of subsidised fertilisers under its Fertiliser Control Order and Essential Commodities Act, requiring authorisation for cross-border transportation. Chief District Officer of Sarlahi Bijay Raj Suvedi said the Ministry of Home Affairs has been informed of the matter and coordination is underway with Indian authorities. According to him, Indian officials have maintained that the action was taken in line with regulations prohibiting the movement of subsidised fertiliser outside the country. The case comes amid continued concerns over delays in the supply of chemical fertilisers to Nepali farmers, who often rely on markets across the border during shortages.