Three persons were arrested on charge of siphoning off rice meant for cyclone victims in Odisha, police said today.
Around 7 quintals of rice in 28 bags and an auto-rickshaw were seized near Ganjam Kala Parishad here yesterday, they said.
The arrested were identified as Nageswar Rao of Palur Bungalow, P S Suresh Kumar of Tulasi Nagara and Ashok Kumar Behera, the auto driver, police said.
Acting on a tip-off, police caught them when the rice packets were being loaded in a vehicle.
"We are looking for the dealer from whose shop the relief materials were being taken out," Inspector incharge Deepak Mishra said.
Last week, cyclone victims of Chikita area had staged agitation alleging diversion of relief kerosene to Andhra Pradesh. Police used canes and opened fire in the air to disperse the mob which attacked them.
Ten persons, including four policemen, were injured, in the clash. 15 people were arrested on charge of attacking the men in uniform.
