Local leaders of the ruling party are selling the foodgrains to well-off people, instead of distributing those among the needy, Samity leaders said at a meeting in the city yesterday.

Robbing the starved people of their food is not only an act of corruption, but also an inhuman act, they said.

The leaders urged the government and the local administration to take stern action against those involved in the malpractice.

They also demanded adequate supply of medicine to the hospitals in northern districts as the people have been suffering from various diseases.

If proper steps are not taken immediately, many people may die from malnutrition, they said.

Samity leaders Sohel Ahmed, Anwar Hossain Reza and Syed Ahmed spoke at the meeting. Its president Samsuzzaman Selim was in the chair.

To protest the anomalies in distribution of foodgrains, the Communist Party of Bangladesh will hold a rally in the city today.