Labourers were engaged to repair about one kilometre embankment of Dinajpur canal, a major component of TIP. They were seen cutting and removing earth of the bank of a nearby irrigation branch canal (BC-3) at Deshibai village in Jaldhaka upazila, local people and BWDB sources said.

Jamaat lawmaker from Jaldhaka constituency diverted fund for the work under special allotment quota, they said.

Instead of procuring earth, the project chairman who is also a Union Parishad (UP) chairman of Kathali union under Jaldhaka allegedly managed the BWDB officials for an order to cut the bank of the canal. The branch of Dinajpur canal is meant for irrigation in the area.

Dhirendro Nath Roy, a labour leader told newsmen recently that his labourers are working at the directive of a BWDB section officer for the last few days. He also said the project chairman engaged 13 labourers for the purpose.

Farmers Yusuf Ali, Prokash Roy, Suresh Roy and Porimal Chandra said they lodged protest with the SO and the project chairman but to no effect.

On contact, BWDB executive engineer Abdur Razzak said that it is absolutely his discretion from where earth should be removed to repair the dam.

'I am not bound to explain to newsmen as I do not work under their authority,' he said.