Dumka, Aug. 23: Distribution of free foodgrain and other facilities for below poverty line beneficiaries came to a stop at Pakuria block as public distribution system (PDS) dealers began a strike from Saturday.

Dealers in rural pockets, who recently faced public ire after being assigned the task of providing free foodgrain among the drought affected, have started mobilising forces to oppose further humiliation.

While PDS dealers at Pakuria block are protesting against the indifferent attitude of police in arranging for security, dealers at Reneshwar block in Dumka recently decided not to take rice from the state food corporation due to sub-standard quality. Now, PDS dealers in other parts of Santhal Pargana have also decided to join the protest.

Mohon Prasad, a PDS dealer at Dumka, today said that the dealers’ bodies would intensify their protest. In the first phase they would close down their establishments if their demands for security were not met.

Dumka deputy commissioner Prasat Kumar on August 20 finally ordered for the cancellation of the free distribution of rice among the beneficiaries and returned the rice to the state FCI.

Tension runs high at Sahebganj, Godda, Jamtara and Deoghar, too, where there were several instances of confrontation among dealers and customers. “The government had instructed us to give free foodgrain only to those who have BPL or other such cards. But the situation turned violent as hungry crowds assembled in front of our shops and started vandalising property after finding their names missing from the list of beneficiaries. In the absence of any government official or police there, the mob targeted us. Our lives and properties are now under threat,” a dealer said.

State officials are still mum about their reaction.