UNB, Panchagarh :
More than 500 families in one upazila of Panchagarh district are passing busy time producing handmade puffed rice (muri), banking on the profits in made during Ramadan to sustain them in otherwise lean periods throughout the year.
Puffed rice is the most common iftar item in Bangladesh. Fasting people like to eat chemical-free puffed rice after a day’s fast with sweets, chillis and even some other iftar items. The demand for puffed rice increases during the Ramadan every year.
Producers can make a double profit during the Ramadan month every year. Even they can able to run their family expenditures in all year round from the extra profit earned during the Ramadan, puffed rice producers said.
More than 500 families from Dangapara, Damupara, Maladam, Molanipara, Bhimpukur, Bawkali, Bholapukuri, Quaderpur, Puthimari, Nalehapara, Paikpara, Khalpara, Saddarpara and some others villages are directly dependent on the earnings from handmade puffed rice. The profession is passed on from generation to generation, locals informed.
Talking to UNB, a producer of Bawkali area of the upazila said he has been producing handmade puffed rice for last 20 years. He sells two sacks of puffed rice in every bazar twice a week. They can earn well during Ramadan given the high demand of handmade puffed rice, he added.
Manik Mia of Bholapukuri area said he also involved in this occupation for last 18 years. He can sell 50 kgs puffed rice produced from two maunds of paddy. Now puffed rice is being sold at Tk 70 to 90 per kg which generally sells at Tk 55 to 65 all year round, he added.
District town whole puffed rice seller Ohidullah said generally he buys 500-1,000 kg of puffed rice during every market (twice a week) but he has to buy double the quantity during Ramadan.
“Several hundred people here earn their livelihood by producing handmade puffed rice all year round. We supply those puffed rice to different retail shops across the district,” he added.
Fasting people like to eat handmade chemical-free puffed rice during Ramadan, as it is easily digestible.
‘Drug addict’ dies in Panchagarh police custody
A suspected drug addict died from heart attack in police custody after being arrested from Baniapara area of the district town early Sunday.
The deceased was identified as Kajol Sheikh Maju, 43, son of Hazrat Ali of New Market area of the town.
A team of Detective Branch of police led by Sub-inspector Rabiul Islam arrested Maju from the area around 10:30 pm on Saturday along with hemp, said Sudarshan Kumar Roy, assistant superintendent (circle) of police.
Later, Maju felt chest pain while being transferred to be produce before a mobile court.However, he was rushed to Panchagarh Adhunik Sadar Hospital where he dies around 12:30 am, police said.
Dr Zillur Rahman, a physician of emergency department of the hospital, said they are primarily suspecting that Maju died from heart attack.
