The New Nation - Internet Edition

Chittagong Correspondent

Dozens of officials of different departments involved in the process of carrying, unloading, clearing, storing and quarantining of the rice called 'rotten' and subsequent dumping move of the lot have reportedly been brought under investigation.

Members of the joint forces backed by the public and private agencies concerned have started looking into the issue with more importance after hopeful outcome of the physical examinations of the rice's food value.

Though mysteries behind the dumping initiative of the rice are not yet unveiled, practicality and physical examinations have so far done on the called "rotten bulk" has already started letting people sniff deeper conspiracy in it. Top military officials here in the port city saw the rice yesterday and were convinced of its quality that did not match the statement of the food department. They reportedly found the rice consumable other than it's over moisture contains.

Laboratory test of the rice's sample is also suggested. Moisture test on the rice sample was not disappointing. The sample had damp ranging from 15 to 19 percent. Nutrition expert believe that the moisture contain above 15 percent may slightly degrade the rice quality but it should not be unfit for human consumption.

The officials set together at the Artillery Centre at Halishahar this afternoon and reviewed the possible retrieval of the rice's food value. Agencies concerned have also been directed to workout the ultimate intention and the beneficiaries of the dumping bid.

"It is necessary to see why this bulk has been earmarked for dumping without thorough examinations and particularly when the nation is facing food grain hardship," a military official commented saying no culprit will be spared.

Informed sources hinted that several officials of the food department might get trapped into the rice-dumping plot apart from their mentors and accomplices. Some of them may also face questioning by the detectives and the taskforce soon.

Meanwhile, some of the rice collected from the rotten bulk was cooked and served among some of the military men yesterday night. None of the military men fell sick after taking that rice. No physical illness was also reported from the poor people who retrieved the dumped rice and took it by now.

Earlier, the joint forces intercepted a dumping bid where more than 45 metric tons of rice came as relief materials from Pakistan for the SIDR victims were gathered for throwing away. The lot had been declared grossly rotten and totally unfit for human consumption.

Officials of the food department denied talking to the press especially on the rice-dumping issue.