Nepali farmers jailed in India over fertiliser purchase await bail hearing Friday

Two Nepali farmer brothers from Sarlahi are awaiting a bail hearing on Friday, July 31, nearly a month after their arrest in India for allegedly transporting subsidized chemical fertilizer. Suresh Prasad Singh and Nagendra Prasad Singh were detained on July 1 in Sonbarsa, India, while returning with urea and di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) on bicycles. They had crossed into India during the peak paddy transplantation season to purchase fertilizer due to a severe shortage in Nepal.

Indian authorities accused the brothers of illegally transporting subsidized fertilizer, leading to their detention in Dumra Jail, Bihar. Their family has been pursuing legal avenues for their release, with Suresh's son, Avinash Singh, submitting a bail application that led to the scheduled hearing. A local lawyer is representing the brothers, while a relative in India coordinates the legal process.

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We are hopeful they will be released on bail after the hearing. The delay was due to court procedures.

Meanwhile, the brothers' farmland in Sarlahi remains unfertilized. The family cultivates nearly three bigha of land, where paddy was planted with neighbors' help after their detention. The ongoing fertilizer shortage in Nepal, coupled with the brothers' incarceration, has exacerbated the situation. Avinash has requested fertilizer allocation from local municipality officials, who are reportedly taking steps to address the request.

The incident highlights Nepal's recurring fertilizer crisis, particularly in border districts of Madhesh province, where farmers often turn to Indian markets. However, transporting fertilizer purchased in India is illegal under Indian law, as chemical fertilizer is considered an essential commodity with subsidies intended for Indian farmers. This legal restriction exposes Nepali farmers to potential legal action.

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This shortage has landed my father and uncle in jail. Fertiliser is nowhere to be found here.