SHILLONG: Police have seized a huge quantity of rice meant to be distributed under the National Food Security Act in Assam, a delayed report said. The seizure was made on September 3 when a boat loaded with 24 bags of rice (50 kg per bag) was detected at Lalmati area in West Garo Hills. Later another 124 bags of rice were recovered from the house of one Abdul Rahman near the area.
During scrutiny of four cash memos produced by one Md. Mirajul Haque, it transpired that the rice was issued by M/s Hazirhats Ltd., Hazirhat, Dhubri, Assam in the name of one Nurruzzaman Sheikh of Chotaborza meant to be distributed to the beneficiaries of Bagjhapara, Charergoan and Chotoborza villages, Assam, under the NFSA (AAY) scheme. However, Mirajul Haque brought the rice to Meghalaya for selling it in the open market.
West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Pravin Baskhi said that the matter will be taken up with his counterpart in Dhubri.
He added that since several people have been named in the FIR, a team from Meghalaya Police may also go to Dhubri for investigation.