Two arrested in Madaripur for supplying rotten food to school children

Two individuals have been arrested in Madaripur for supplying substandard and inedible food under the government primary school feeding programme. The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education has said preliminary evidence has been found linking them to the incident.

The arrestees have been identified as A F M Ahsanul Habib, 51, and Md Nuruzzaman, 43. They were responsible officials of Samata Traders, the firm supplying food for the project.

Madaripur Sadar Police Station OC Abul Kalam Azad said they were arrested from the Chandmari area of the municipality on Tuesday, June 9, and produced before the court.

A case was filed over the supply of rotten food under the school feeding project, he said.

The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education said in a statement that preliminary evidence has been found regarding the role and responsibility of the two arrested individuals in supplying spoiled and inedible food.

Earlier, several students fell ill after consuming mid-day meals at schools in Madaripur Sadar and Chapainawabganj Sadar upazilas. The matter was reported in the media, following which the government ordered an investigation and announced swift and strict action against those responsible.

Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon requested the respective deputy commissioners to form investigation committees involving civil surgeons and directed swift action against those involved in the irregularities.