Three persons were arrested in Assam’s Barpeta district on charges of misappropriating the ex gratia given to the poor families during the nationwide lockdown for the Covid-19 pandemic.

The arrested persons are Satra Kanara gaon panchayat president Gaaji Rahman, member of the same gaon panchayat Amcher Ali and Pub Mahachara gaon panchayat secretary Janif Ali respectively.

Sources told reporters on Friday that the police had arrested the three on Thursday, after receiving a complaint from the local residents. Pub Mahachara Gaon Panchayat president Rashida Khatun is absconding.

An investigation is under way, the sources said.

The Barpeta unit of the Garia Maria Deshi Jatiya Parishad has stated its concern over the issue of payment of ex gratia to the poor families. Demanding an investigation, it had submitted a memorandum to the Barpeta deputy commissioner recently.