According to villagers, Gour Bhor and Madan Shau had been selling the ration in the open market after the state government doubled the allotted quantity in the flood-affected districts of Midnapore.

The villagers said they intercepted two rickshaws carrying foodgrain. When they asked the rickshawpullers about the source of the food grain, they confirmed that it was part of the ration meant for public distribution. Angry villagers then beat up the two dealers and locked them inside their warehouse. Bhor and Shau were later rescued by the district administration.

The flood situation, meanwhile, in the two districts has improved. “Flood water has receded from some areas as there had been no rains in the last two days,” said a senior district official of East Midnapore. But the low-lying areas in Bhagabanpur, parts of Chandipur and Potashpur-I blocks are still waterlogged.