A local BNP leader in Sharsha upazila of Jashore has been suspended by the party over accusations of looting 155 sacks of rice meant for a government food-friendly programme.
The suspended leader, Ruhul Kuddus, was the vice-president of the Sharsha Upazila BNP unit and a former chairman of the Kaiba Union Parishad.
The suspension came after Shahjahan Kabir, a designated dealer for the food-friendly programme in Kaiba’s wards 1, 2, and 3, lodged the allegations on Wednesday.
Sharsha Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Kazi Najib Hasan confirmed receiving the information about the rice looting and instructed the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Sharsha police station to recover the rice.
According to Shahjahan Kabir, he had loaded the rice from the Bagachhra food warehouse and sent multiple trolleys to his dealer points. When the trolleys reached Bokultala in Bagachhra, Ruhul Kuddus and his brother Kalu allegedly held the drivers hostage and took the 155 sacks of rice to their own warehouse.
Sharsha Police Station OC M Rabiul Islam confirmed that the trolleys carrying the rice had already been released and stated that legal action would be taken if a formal complaint is filed.
Ruhul Kuddus has denied the allegations of rice looting.
