Pekua UNO transferred over relief rice embezzlement

Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Saika Shahadat has been transferred on the allegation of being involved in the embezzlement of 15 tonnes of relief rice in Pekua of Cox's Bazar.

A circular, signed by Additional Divisional Commissioner (Overall) Shankar Ranjan Saha of the Chattogram Division, confirmed the matter on Thursday night.

Saika Shahadat has been attached to the Chittagong Divisional Commissioner's Office and has been replaced by Nazma Siddique Begum, Brahmanpara upazila nirbahi officer of Cumilla.

In the same circular, Saika has been asked to join the divisional commissioner's office by May 3.

Earlier, the ministry concerned had suspended Taitung Union Parishad (UP) chairman Jahedul Islam Chowdhury over similar allegations. Jahedul was relieved of his general secretary post in the Union Awami League after a case was filed against him under the Special Powers Act. 

However, Saika was not accused in the case. Despite facing allegations of irregularities, her "punishment" has been limited to withdrawal only.

District administration and concerned agencies had started an investigation after the media published news articles about rice embezzlement in Pekua.