96 sacks of govt rice recovered from Jamaat leader's house in Noakhali

The Daily Star reports on a significant recovery of government-supplied rice in Subarnachar, Noakhali, highlighting a troubling incident of alleged hoarding by a local Jamaat-e-Islami leader. This recovery, involving 96 sacks of 30kg each, has understandably caused a stir among residents who suspect the rice was being stockpiled for illicit resale at inflated prices.

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My younger brother, Dr Azgar, is a dealer. He bought the government-allocated rice for a Noorani Madrasa. Later, they were kept at the house.

Our correspondent confirmed the details with the Subarnachar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), Alokby Osman, who stated that the administration acted upon local complaints. The rice was found in the house of Md Abdus Samad, identified as the ameer of Jamaat's ward 9 unit in Char Jabbar union. The swift action by the administration, which secured the rice and moved it to the Union Parishad office, demonstrates a commitment to addressing such grievances.

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While it is true that the rice was recovered from the Jamaat leader's house, the rice actually belongs to his brother. Therefore, the responsibility for this incident does not fall on the Jamaat leader in any way.

While Mr. Samad offered a defense, claiming the rice was allocated for a Noorani Madrasa and purchased by his brother, a dealer, the District Jamaat Ameer, Ishak Khondokar, attempted to distance the party from the matter by stating the rice belonged to Samad's brother. However, the UNO emphasized that authorities are verifying the purchase documents and will pursue legal action if necessary. This incident underscores the ongoing challenges of ensuring equitable distribution of essential goods and preventing their diversion for personal gain, a concern deeply felt by the public.

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The rice was recovered based on complaints from locals. Authorities are verifying whether there are valid documents for purchasing the rice. Legal action will be taken, if necessary.