BNP Leader Suspended in Jashore for Alleged Rice Looting

A local BNP leader has been suspended from the party in Sharsha Upazila, Jashore, over accusations of looting 155 sacks of rice intended for the government’s food-friendly programme.

Ruhul Kuddus, the vice-president of the Sharsha Upazila BNP unit and a former chairman of Kaiba Union Parishad, is the suspended leader.

The suspension followed allegations raised by Shahjahan Kabir, the designated dealer for the food-friendly programme in Kaiba’s wards 1, 2, and 3. Kabir reported the incident on Wednesday, leading to the district’s swift action.

Sharsha Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), Kazi Najib Hasan, confirmed that he had received information about the rice looting and immediately instructed the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Sharsha police station to recover the stolen rice.

According to Kabir, he had loaded the rice from the Bagachhra food warehouse and dispatched multiple trolleys to designated dealer points. However, upon reaching Bokultala in Bagachhra, Kuddus and his brother, Kalu, allegedly held the drivers hostage and took 155 sacks of rice to their own warehouse.

Sharsha Police Station Officer-in-Charge M Rabiul Islam confirmed that the trolleys carrying the rice had already been released. He added that legal action would be taken if a formal complaint is filed.

Ruhul Kuddus, however, denied the allegations, claiming he had not looted the rice.