Feud over bid to stop smuggling

RAMANATHAPURAM: A group of people besieged some civil supply officials when they tried to seize a van in which PDS rice was alleged smuggled near Parthipanur on Tuesday night. It is said, a civil supply officials team led by Pitchai, Taluk Supply Officer, and Solaimuthu, RI, conducted a surprise raid in Parthipanur area and spotted a mini van at Mela Perunkarai area moving in a suspicious manner. Therefore, the civil supply team tried to intercept the van which sped away from the spot. Then, the civil supply team gave a good chase with a government vehicle and the van driver, Sevakan of Ponnakudi, escaped from the spot after deserting the van comprising 25 plastic bags of PDS rice at Kothankulam village. Later, a group of people surrounded the civil supply team when they tried to take the van from the spot. The matter was informed to Jayaraman, DRO, who plunged into action during the night hours,   and complained to the nearby police station to protect the officials.  Parthipanur police rushed to the spot and seized the van along with PDS rice. Then, the civil supply officials moved from there in their vehicle. It is said, the PDS rice were filled in attractive plastic bags to make others believe that the rice bags as high quality rice of open market. Police registered a case and a man hunt is on.