Local administration of Raninagar upazila of Naogaon seized five and a half tonnes of rice meant for Vulnerable Group Development (VGD) programme from the house of a local Awami League Leader last evening.

The VGD rice -- which is sold Tk 10 kilogrammes per kg in the market for relief purposes and is not meant for regular sale -- was recovered from the house of Ayat Ali, executive member of Union Awami League and also a rice trader, reports our Natore correspondent quoting Md Al Mamun, upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) of Raninagar upazila.

The upazila administration conducted the drive at his house on receiving information that Ayat was hoarding huge amount of VGD rice, UNO Mamun said.

UNO Mamun said Ayat hoarded the VGD rice by illegal means and is on the run now.

A case was filed against him with Raninagar Police Station in this connection, he added.

Meanwhile, another 32 sacks of VGD rice was seized from a wood store at Borni Fakir Bazar in Borolekha upazila of Moulvibazar district yesterday, said Md Shamim Al Imran, UNO of Borolekha upazila.

The owner of the store, Pradip Das (47), was arrested in this connection, the UNO added.