Two upazila parishad chairmen have recently constructed a road which encroached on the Chitra River in Kotchandpur upazila.
Tahurul Islam, acting chairman of Madhuhati union, and Sharifur Rahman Khan, chairman of Kushno union, were also alleged to have misappropriated a government fund to build the road.
The road is 10 feet wide and 6 feet high.
The fund allocated for Karma Srijan, a 40-day project aimed at helping the poor and the destitute, was said to have been embezzled by the chairmen, said an upazila parishad member of Madhuhati union on condition of anonymity.
Locals said the road would block the flow of water in the rainy season and would lead to inundation of nearby agricultural lands, resulting in heavy losses for farmers.
Some elderly people living in the area said the road would bring curse for them.
Madhuhati union Land Officer Tofazzel Hossain said he had informed the upazila nirbahi officer of the road built by occupying a portion of the channel of the river illegally.
But Sharifur said the road was constructed to satisfy the demand of the local people.
He also argued that farmers would face no losses because of the road.
Zakir Hossain, land officer of Kushno union, said a survey would soon be carried out in the area and steps would be taken afterwards.
Jhenaidah Deputy Commissioner Shafiqul Islam said he would visit the spot and would then take necessary actions. Local people urged authorities concerned to take measures in this regard.
