The Army detained a dealer of the government’s Open Market Sale (OMS) food programme and former student leader on Sunday for his involvement in smuggling 16 sacks of rice in Lakhai, Habiganj.
The detainee, identified as Zakaria Chowdhury Ratan, is the former joint general secretary of the District Chhatra Dal and the son of the late Kachir Mia of Karob village.
According to sources, Ratan was caught red-handed by the Army on Sunday afternoon while attempting to smuggle three sacks of government rice from the Kadamtali area.
Following his detention and subsequent confession during interrogation, the Army conducted further raids around 8pm in various areas, including shops in the Bogla Bazar area of Habiganj, where an additional 13 sacks of rice were recovered.
Local residents alleged that Ratan had been involved in irregularities and the embezzlement of government rice since his appointment as a dealer. He reportedly deprived genuine beneficiaries of their allocated rice, leading to widespread local criticism in recent days.
The recovery operation was conducted in the presence of Lakhai Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Murad Islam and Upazila Food Controller Kabir Hossain.
