Nagaland: 3 persons detained in alleged PDS ration rice ‘repackaging’ scam

DIMAPUR— Dimapur Police has detained three persons in connection with the alleged ‘polishing and repackaging’ of Public Distribution System (PDS) ration rice at a mill in Purana Bazar.

A police officer told Eastern Mirror that acting on media reports about the alleged scam, a police team went to the mill on June 17 and arrested the owner and his two managers.

An FIR was lodged on the same day and investigation is ongoing, added the police officer.

The three accused are presently under custody at East Police Station.

Police sources further said that a case has also been registered against the Nikki Sumi-led NSCN (K) for conducting “illegal” and unauthorised raid on the mill, a day prior to the arrest of the accused.

It is reported that the alleged PDS ration rice scam came to light after the Nikki Sumi-led NSCN (K) raided the mill on June 16.

Meanwhile, Director of Food and Civil Supplies, Dimapur, Chubawati Chang said that the department has so far not received any formal complaint relating to the alleged ‘polishing and repackaging’ of rice supplied through PDS.

Chang, however, said the department has assigned its officials to coordinate, verify and monitor the claim.

He disclosed that the spot officer from the department has submitted a preliminary report, stating that nothing concrete has been found so far.