A mobile court conducted by Gangni upazila administration in Meherpur seized and destroyed 2600 kg of chemically treated immature mangos on Monday evening, launching such a drive for the first time in the district famous for mango cultivation.

Some dishonest mango growers in the upazila are harvesting immature mangos before the plucking season and mixing toxic chemicals to ripen those early, said SM Jamal Ahmed, assistant commissioner (Land) of Gangni upazila, also executive magistrate of the court.

"The mobile court raided Chitla village and seized a mango-laden truck which was being taken to Dhaka, after mixing calcium carbide to quickly ripen the immature mangos.

"None of the perpetrators were found on the spot as they fled the scene sensing the presence of  the mobile court, the magistrate said.

The truck-load of mangos were taken to Gangni Upazila Parishad ground and destroyed there.

The upazila administration in a meeting with mango growers and traders on May 4 fixed dates for plucking mangos based on varieties, which will start from May 15, said officials.

“We will show zero tolerance to mixing harmful chemicals with mangoes,” the magistrate said.