Lohagara administration recovers 13 sacks of misappropriated paddy seeds from Jamaat leader-run madrasa

LOHAGARA, CHITTAGONG — Local authorities in Lohagara recovered 13 sacks of government-subsidized paddy seeds from a madrasa managed by a local Jamaat-e-Islami leader on Thursday. The seeds, intended for free distribution to local farmers, were discovered stored inside the Jameul Uloom Madrasa in the Charamba Union.

The administrator of the madrasa, Shamsul Islam Helali, who also serves as the Charamba Union Amir for Jamaat-e-Islami, was identified as the individual in possession of the supplies. Lohagara Upazila Executive Officer Md. Bayezid-Bin-Akanda uncovered the cache during an inspection of the facility. Upon noticing a locked room near the principal’s office, the official ordered it opened, revealing the hidden stock of Aman paddy seeds.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Kazi Shafiul Islam stated that the seeds had been allocated for free distribution 20 days prior. Due to the remote location of Charamba Union, the supplies were handed over to designated farmer representatives for immediate dispersal. Officials have launched an investigation into why the seeds were not distributed according to schedule and why they were being held at a private educational institution overseen by a political leader.

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In his defense, Shamsul Islam Helali acknowledged receiving 17 sacks of seeds for distribution. He claimed that after distributing four sacks, he stored the remaining 13 at the madrasa and failed to complete the process due to personal preoccupation.

Following the recovery, Upazila Executive Officer Bayezid-Bin-Akanda oversaw the immediate distribution of the seeds to the intended local farmers. The administration has issued a show-cause notice to the madrasa principal, demanding a formal explanation for the unauthorized storage of the agricultural supplies. Officials confirmed that further legal action will be determined pending the receipt and review of his response.