Kolkata, 13 July (H.S.): Around 40 sacks of rice bearing government logos were recovered from a deserted spot along National Highway-12 in West Bengal's Nadia district on Monday, prompting the police to launch an investigation into their origin.

The sacks were found near Prafullanagar in the Fulia area under Shantipur police station limits after local residents noticed them lying amid roadside garbage. On closer inspection, they found government markings on the bags and alerted the police.

A police team reached the spot, seized the sacks and began an inquiry. Investigators are trying to ascertain where the rice came from, the area for which it had been allocated, and how it ended up abandoned by the roadside.

Residents alleged that the recovered rice appeared to be part of the public distribution system (PDS) and demanded a thorough investigation to determine whether the incident was linked to diversion or misappropriation of government food grains.

The police said the markings on the sacks and other identifying details are being examined to trace their source. Officials have not yet issued any statement regarding the ownership or intended destination of the seized rice. Further investigation is in progress.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey