Three held for hoarding 12 tonnes of PDS rice

The Civil Supplies Criminal Investigation Department (CS-CID) arrested three persons for hoarding ration rice meant for public distribution in Sivagiri and seized 12,000 kg of rice along with vehicles used for transportation on Thursday.

According to official sources, the department had received complaints that ration rice was being illegally stocked for sale in rice mills in and around Sivagiri. Based on the information, police intensified surveillance and vehicle checks in the area.

During inspection at Rangasamuthiram near Sivagiri, officials found gunny bags of ration rice stocked in large quantities at a farm belonging to a rice mill owner, Ramalingam. Further checks near his modern rice mill led to the seizure of additional bags of rice stored in a vehicle.

Following the seizure, police arrested Ramalingam, his manager Kulandhaivel, and Thomson on charges of hoarding ration rice for illegal sale. The seized rice and vehicles were taken into custody. Further investigation is under way.