Row over distribution of rice for the poor
UP members assaulted by chairman's son in Pabna
The vulnerable group feeding (VGF) rice distribution was halted yesterday at Ekdanta union in Atghoria upazila over internal conflict between the union parishad (UP) chairman and its members.
The supporters of chairman led by his son beat up UP members.
"When the rice distribution began among the VGF card holders at Ekdanta Government Primary School, five to six people led by Mahfuzur Rahman, son of the UP chairman, attacked me," UP member Md Abu Sayed told this correspondent .
"They beat me up for not distributing rice for the poor according to their instruction. They also assaulted other UP members when they came to my rescue," Sayed added.
Protesting the attack all the UP members left the spot, said female UP member Dina Khatun. She said they were also assaulted during the incident. Protesting the attack they left the spot, Dina added.
Refuting the allegation, Mahafuzur said the people got agitated over cheating in weight during distribution of VGF rice.
“Although 20 kg of rice was allocated against each card, Sayed member was giving 15 to16 kg. The people might have got angry at this and attacked him,” Mahafuzur said. He, however, claimed that he was not present during the incident.
Later, Atghoria upazila Project Implementation Officer (PIO) Md Abdul Karim resumed the rice distribution programme. Karim said they found that the rice was being distributed among the VGF card holders in correct weight.