BNP Leader Goes Missing During Raid, 300 Sacks of Government Rice Found in Warehouse

Local Correspondent

The army has recovered 304 sacks of illegally stockpiled government rice from the warehouse of Md. Khokon Ahmed, president of the Kendua municipality BNP, in Netrokona’s Kendua.

Based on a tip-off, the army conducted a raid on Friday evening at the warehouse of Messrs. Nahar Traders, owned by Khokon Ahmed, in the Bade Atharo Bari area of the municipal town.

The raid was led by Lt. Jamirul Islam Sakib, camp commander of the temporary army camp in Madan upazila, following the confidential information. A large quantity of government rice, allocated for distribution among the poor during Eid, was recovered. The BNP leader had allegedly stored this rice in his warehouse through corrupt means.

During the raid, the accused Khokon Ahmed attempted to remove sacks of rice from the warehouse using a hand trolley. Later, the trolley was intercepted from Bangania intersection and brought back in front of the warehouse. The market value of the rice found in the warehouse and trolley is estimated at Tk 5,67,030.

Eyewitnesses reported that among the seized sacks of rice from the BNP leader’s warehouse were jute sacks from the Food Department, sacks from TCB, and various plastic sacks in blue, white, and yellow colors.

A total of 13,515 kg of rice in 304 sacks was seized during the operation.

Meanwhile, BNP leader Khokon fled after getting wind of the raid. However, no case has been filed against him yet, raising questions and criticism in the area.

Attempts were made to contact him on his mobile phone, but Khokon Ahmed switched it off. Locals said Khokon went into hiding after learning about the raid in advance.

Local residents said that since Khokon Ahmed is politically influential, it needs to be investigated whether legal action is being delayed.

Army officer Lt. Jamirul Islam Sakib said, “Although it was claimed that the rice was leftover after distribution, there is no justification for secretly moving it. Selling or hoarding government rice is illegal—it is corruption.”

Kendua Police Station OC Mizanur Rahman said the seized rice is currently in the custody of the upazila administration. Legal action is being prepared regarding the matter.