In a major enforcement operation in Bhurungamari, Kurigram, nearly 800 bags of government-supplied rice were confiscated from three private warehouses during a midnight raid, raising serious concerns about the illegal stockpiling and potential diversion of food aid intended for vulnerable populations.
The operation occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, 18 March, near Kashim Bazar in the Baldia Union. The warehouses belonged to local businessmen Somer Ali, Robiul Islam, and Sonawullah Mia, who were reportedly storing government rice alongside other locally packaged sacks without the necessary authorisation. Police and local volunteers conducting the raid noted that some bags carried official Department of Food seals, while others were unmarked, suggesting deliberate attempts to obscure the origin of the stock.
Authorities estimate that the seized rice totals approximately 20 metric tonnes, though an exact count was not immediately possible. The warehouse owners reportedly fled the scene before police arrived, leaving the rice under police custody.
Locals have alleged that the rice, originally allocated under the Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) programme, was being diverted to middlemen instead of reaching the intended poor beneficiaries. Resident Altaf Hossain claimed, “Chairmen and local officials are selling rice to traders. These traders then publicly transport it to their warehouses, yet the real poor do not receive the food aid they are entitled to.”
However, Baldia Union Parishad Chairman Mozammel Haque denied any wrongdoing, asserting that all 64.53 tonnes of VGF rice had been fully distributed. “I do not know the origin of the seized rice. Distribution under food-friendly programmes is handled exclusively through authorised dealers, not via the Union Parishad or chairman,” he said.
Law enforcement response
Additional Police Superintendent Muntasir Mamun confirmed that the rice belongs to government agencies and was illegally stockpiled across multiple warehouses.
Upazila Executive Officer Shahadat Hossain stated that the matter is under thorough investigation and promised that “appropriate legal action will be taken once the inquiry is complete.”
Bhurungamari Rice Seizure: Key Facts
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Kashim Bazar, Baldia Union, Bhurungamari, Kurigram, Bangladesh |
| Date of Raid | 18 March 2026 |
| Seized Items | ~800 bags of government and locally packaged rice (~20 metric tonnes) |
| Warehouse Owners | Somer Ali, Robiul Islam, Sonawullah Mia |
| Programme Involved | Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) |
| Police Action | Rice secured under police custody; investigation ongoing |
| Allegations | Rice diverted to middlemen instead of intended poor beneficiaries |
| Local Authorities’ Position | Chairman denies wrongdoing; claims full VGF distribution completed |
The seizure has heightened local concerns over the integrity of food aid distribution channels. Authorities are reportedly planning intensified inspections of other warehouses in Bhurungamari Upazila to ensure that government-supplied rice reaches the intended beneficiaries and to prevent further diversion or illicit sales.