A local BNP leader has been suspended by the party in Sharsha uapzila of Jashore over alleged looting of 155 sacks of rice meant for a government's food-friendly programme.

The suspended BNP leader is Ruhul Kuddus, vice-president of Sharsha Upazila unit BNP and a former chairman of the Kaiba Union Parishad.

Jashore district took the action on Wednesday when Shahjahan Kabir, a designated dealer for the food-friendly programme in Kaiba’s wards 1, 2, and 3, brought the allegations against him.  

Sharsha Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Kazi Najib Hasan said he had been informed of the rice looting and instructed the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Sharsha police station to recover the rice.  

Shahjahan Kabir alleged that he loaded the rice from the Bagachhra food warehouse and sent multiple trolleys towards his dealer points.

When the trolleys reached Bokultala in Bagachhra Ruhul Kuddus and his brother Kalu, who held the drivers hostage, took 155 sacks of rice to their own warehouse, he said.  

Sharsha Police Station Officer-in-Charge M Rabiul Islam learned that the trolleys carrying the rice had already been released.

He added that legal action would be taken if a formal complaint is lodged.

BNP leader Ruhul Quddus denied the allegation of looting rice.