Kaler Kantho journalist accused of stealing government rice

BD Digest Report

Journalist by profession, but a hoarder by addiction! The seizure of 71 sacks of government rice from the rented godown of ‘Kaler Kantho’ Multimedia’s North Bengal coordinator Md. Sohel Rana Shponpo in Rajibpur, Kurigram has created intense anger and sensation in the journalist community. However, the most surprising thing is that despite such a heinous misdeed by a high-ranking employee of their own organization, the newspaper authorities have not taken any administrative or organizational action so far.

On Friday afternoon (March 27), local Chhatra Dal leaders and activists conducted a raid in the Shiberdangi Bazar area of ​​Rajibpur based on a secret tip-off. They searched a godown owned by Abul Hossain and found 71 sacks of illegally stored government rice. It is learnt that Sohel Rana Swapna, who is known as an influential journalist in the area, had rented the godown under the guise of Messrs. Fatema Traders.

Upon receiving the information, the upazila administration reached the spot and conducted a mobile court. In the presence of Assistant Commissioner (Land) Sayekul Hasan Khan, Sohel Rana Swapna was fined Tk 50,000 and the seized rice was taken to the police station. Additional Superintendent of Police Russell Kabir and Rajibpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) A. F. M. Shamim were present in the operation.

The incident of government rice being recovered from a journalist’s godown proves that the keeper is now playing the role of the eater.

Accused Sohel Rana Swapna has claimed that the dealership is in his mother’s name and that the stockpile has been built up because the beneficiaries sold the rice. However, the question from the conscious circles is, why was such a huge amount of rice kept in a private godown despite the specific rules for storing government rice? Why was the rice kept aside in the name of distribution on the occasion of Eid? These questions make clear the purpose of his ‘theft’.

One of the country’s leading newspapers, ‘Kaler Kantho’, has always claimed to be uncompromising against corruption. But despite the evidence of rice theft against their North Bengal coordinator and the administration’s fine, the newspaper has not issued any expulsion or censure motion, raising many questions in the minds of the common people. The question has arisen, is the newspaper trying to hide this misdeed of its employee? Is the entire organization taking responsibility for one ‘thief’ journalist? Has the signboard of journalism now become a safe shield for government rice theft?

Locals claim that a fine of Tk 50,000 alone is not a solution. Those who embezzle government resources using the identity of journalists should be given exemplary punishment. At the same time, the institution that gave them the opportunity to display this power should also be held accountable.