Govt rice found at Jamaat leader’s godown in Pirganj

Government Rice Warehouse Sealed in Pirganj

Thebangladaily.com – A private warehouse in Pirganj upazila of Rangpur was sealed on Wednesday evening, September 9, after government rice was discovered there during a mobile court operation.

The facility, operating as Messrs Noor Traders, is located at Lal Dighi Mela Hat in Kabilpur Union. Authorities have not yet confirmed how much rice was being kept inside the godown at the time it was sealed.

Rice Allegedly Moved by Van

The incident drew local attention when sacks believed to be government rice were allegedly transported by van to the private storage site. People in the area used mobile phones to record what they saw as the rice was being moved.

The footage became a central part of the public concern surrounding the matter. Claims later emerged that some of the people who recorded the incident were taken into the godown and assaulted. Those allegations add a separate dimension to the case and raise questions about the treatment of witnesses who tried to document the movement of the rice.

Government rice is distributed through public programmes intended to support eligible people and maintain food assistance channels. For that reason, any indication that such supplies have been moved into unauthorised private storage can prompt administrative scrutiny and possible legal action.

Warehouse Linked to Local Jamaat Leaders

Messrs Noor Traders belongs to Abdul Kaium Mia, a Jamaat-e-Islami leader and former Union Parishad member. His son, Noor Mohammad, serves as a leader of the Jamaat-e-Islami youth wing in Pirganj upazila.

The identification of the warehouse owner has made the matter more significant locally, as residents and officials await clarification on the origin of the rice, the purpose of its storage and whether any distribution rules were breached.

At this stage, the quantity of government rice found at the premises remains unknown. Establishing the amount will be important for determining the scale of the matter and for tracing where the sacks came from before reaching the godown.

Further Legal Steps Expected

Pirganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mahmudul Hasan said the premises had been closed temporarily through the mobile court operation and that the next steps would follow the law.

“Further legal actions will be taken accordingly.”

The sealing of the warehouse prevents the stored goods from being moved while authorities examine the situation. Such action also allows officials to inspect the rice, assess stock records and determine whether the sacks are connected to government supplies meant for public distribution.

The case has highlighted the importance of transparent handling of food assistance and government stock. Rice distributed under public programmes carries both economic value and social importance for households that depend on subsidised or supported food supplies. Clear records of transport, storage and delivery are therefore essential at every stage.

Local residents’ use of mobile-phone video has also placed public attention on the alleged movement of the sacks. Digital recordings can preserve details about timing, vehicles and the movement of goods, though officials will need to examine the available material alongside physical evidence and relevant documentation.

Questions remain over the alleged assault of people who recorded the incident. Any inquiry into the warehouse and rice storage may also need to consider those claims, particularly if witnesses can provide information about how the sacks were brought to the location.

For now, the godown at Lal Dighi Mela Hat remains sealed, and the amount of rice inside has not been confirmed. The next legal and administrative measures will determine whether the storage of the government rice involved violations and whether any individuals face action in connection with the case.