Investigation committee formed over allegation of removing government rice in Shariatpur

PNN News Desk, Shariatpur

In Shariatpur, following allegations of removing government rice from the Angaria food warehouse under the Sadar upazila, the in-charge warehouse officer (OC) Shahnewaz Alam Dina has been transferred. He has been instructed to take charge as Technical Food Inspector in Munshiganj. The order was issued by the office of the Divisional Food Controller.

On Wednesday (April 15), the order was issued in a notification signed by Divisional Food Controller Suraiya Khatun.

Local sources say that on Monday (April 13), around 400 sacks of government-sealed rice were being transported from the Angaria food warehouse in a truck towards Kotapara area. When the truck reached near Palong Model Police Station road, locals became suspicious and alleged that the rice was being taken for illegal black market sale and stopped the truck.

Later in the evening, police kept the truck along with the rice in front of the police station. However, at night there was another attempt to move the rice, after which locals stopped the truck again at Chourongi area. Late at night, the warehouse OC Dina went to the spot and tried to take the rice back to the warehouse but failed due to local resistance. Later at midnight, the rice was taken to the district food warehouse.

Following the incident, several allegations were raised against Dina. It is known that she used to introduce herself as the daughter of former minister Shahjahan Khan to influence others. However, her actual father is freedom fighter Alamgir Hossain, who was the vice-president of Madaripur District Awami League.

In this incident, District Food Controller Humayun Kabir formed a three-member investigation committee on Tuesday. The committee includes Gosairhat Upazila Food Controller Tarekul Islam, Jajira Upazila Food Controller Mohammad Rashid Uzzaman, and Technical Food Inspector Muhammad Belayet Hossain.

Sadar Upazila Food Officer Abdul Razzak said, “How the government rice was removed from the warehouse is being investigated. The full details will be known after the report is received.”

District Food Controller (in-charge) Humayun Kabir said that the transfer order has been implemented due to administrative reasons. Further action will be taken based on the investigation report.

The incident has created widespread discussion in the area and raised questions among locals about transparency in government food management.