Irate mob ransacks ration shop

Barrackpore, Oct 13 (UNI) An irate mob today ransacked a ration shop at Kuliagarh under Naihati police station in North 24 Parganas.

Police said here Rapid Action Force has been deployed to recover the looted foodgrains.

The incident occurred due to unrest among the people, who alleged that the dealers involved in the Public Distribution System, particularly the ration shop owners, were corrupt.

At least fifty people attacked the dealer and looted 55 bags of rice and wheat, police said.

Meanwhile, the shopkeeper lodged a complaint with the Naihati police station, alleging that Trinamool and BJP supporters were responsible for the loot.

However, local people alleged that the dealer had deprived the consumers of their ration for the past 11 years and demanded compensation.

Later, a police team, led by Sub-Divisional Officer Sumanjit Roy rushed to the spot, conducted raids in the area and recovered 34 bags of foodgrains, hidden in the nearby Harishpur Primary School premises.

One person has been arrested so far, police said.

Police brought the situation under control, following an agreement that the dealers would provide at least 10 kg wheat free of cost to each of the consumers within three days.

UNI