Barguna UP chairman arrested over alleged misappropriation of rice for fishermen

The district Detective Branch (DB) of police have arrested UP chairman Alauddin Paltu on charges of irregularities in distributing rice allocated to fishermen under the VGF (Vulnerable Group Feeding) programme in the Kakchira union under Barguna's Patharghata upazila.

He was arrested from Kakchira yesterday noon and handed over to Patharghata Police Station, where a case was filed in this connection, Sayeed Ahmed, inspector (investigation) for the station, confirmed.

The DB was assisted by Bangladesh Navy while making the arrest.

Earlier, on Friday, Paltu received 44 metric tonnes of rice from the food department which was allocated for 550 enlisted fishermen.

Although the chairman was supposed to distribute 80 kg rice for two months for each fisherman, taking advantage of the absence of the tag officer, he distributed rice at only 30 kg per head.

Patharghata Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Humayun Kabir and Upazila Chairman Mostafa Golam Kabir went to the spot on Friday noon during disbursement as fishermen were protesting the matter.

The fishermen also demanded immediate steps against the UP chairman, said Mostafa Golam Kabir, the upazila chairman.

Asked about the matter, the chairman was able to provide evidence of the distribution of only 16 and half metric tonnes of rice out of the 44 allocated in his area. He could not provide any proof of where the remaining 27.50 metric tonnes of rice went and for this he was brought under the law, said the upazila chairman.

The chairman disagreed to make any statement to this newspaper.

OC of Barguna DB Police Harun-or-Rashid said necessary legal action will be taken after investigation.