Food officer ‘takes away’ TV journo’s camera

A food officer in the town yesterday allegedly misbehaved with a TV journalist and took away his video camera when the latter went to his office with queries about procurement of paddy from rice mill owners.

Jahedul Islam Somapto, district correspondent of Maasranga Television, is a resident of Thana Para in the town.

Jahedul said Officer-in-Charge of Lalmonirhat Sadar Local Supplied Depot (LSD) godown Shahinur Rahman and his staffers were procuring paddy from rice mill owners in the godown yesterday noon. At the time, no farmers were present there.

“On information, I rushed to the spot and asked the food officer why he is procuring paddy from the rice mill owners instead of the farmers that angered the latter,” said the journalist, adding that the officer even declined to give any information about the farmers.

At one stage, the officer hurled abusive words at him and took away his camera, said the journalist.

On information, local journalists, police and additional district commissioner (ADC) rushed to the spot. The ADC found the food officer guilty after primary investigation.

He will file a case in this regard, said the journalist.

Contacted, the food officer said he was procuring paddy from the farmers. He is not the authority to give information about paddy procurement to journalists.

“I will give information to my higher authorities about paddy procurement if necessary,” said the food officer. 

But he remained silent when he was asked about why he took away the journalist’s camera.

ADC Rafiqul Islam said he will submit the investigation report to the deputy commissioner and the food authorities soon.