Assam: Dhubri poultry farmer accuses police-veterinary nexus of corruption, alleges business sabotage

Basar Ali, an award-winning poultry farmer from Kherbari Part-I under the jurisdiction of Agomani police station, has made serious allegations against the local police and a veterinary officer. Ali accused them of colluding with a nexus engaged in the illegal broiler chicken trade, claiming that their actions are jeopardizing his livelihood.  

Ali, recognized for winning the prestigious Regional Livestock and Poultry Show 2023 and set to compete in the 2025 event, alleged that his business has been targeted by this nexus. His concerns arose following an incident in which the Agomani police intercepted his E-rickshaw carrying broiler chickens.  

The officers reportedly demanded that a veterinary official verify the poultry as a local product. Despite Ali asserting ownership, the attending veterinary doctor, identified as Shoidur Rahman, allegedly refused to authenticate the source. The prolonged delay resulted in the death of all the chickens due to heat and suffocation inside the vehicle, inflicting significant financial losses on Ali.  

In a subsequent ordeal, Ali faced resistance while attempting to transport his products in a Bolero pickup. The driver allegedly demanded ₹42,000, claiming it was a fee owed to the nexus. Without payment, the driver refused to proceed, further hampering Ali's operations.  

“These corrupt practices are crippling small-scale farmers like me," Ali lamented. "I have invested years of hard work in building my business, but this nexus is destroying livelihoods and exploiting entrepreneurs.”  

Ali's allegations have drawn attention from local farmers and community members, many of whom echoed his claims of rampant corruption and extortion in the poultry trade. As a respected figure in the region, his plight has amplified calls for immediate intervention to curb these exploitative practices.  

The Agomani police and veterinary department have yet to release an official statement addressing the accusations. The incident underscores the systemic challenges faced by small-scale farmers in India, particularly concerning corruption and bureaucratic hurdles.  

With the government championing rural entrepreneurship and self-reliance, Ali's case highlights the urgent need for reforms to protect grassroots entrepreneurs.