Villagers in Gopinathpur of Tukuria Union, Pirganj, Rangpur, have protested after a government project signboard was suddenly placed on a culvert they claim to have built with their own money and labor about two years ago. The incident has sparked anger and tension in the area, with residents accusing the local Union Parishad chairman of attempting to misappropriate funds by labeling their community-built structure as a government project. The chairman, Ataur Rahman Mondal, has denied all allegations.

According to local residents, the culvert was constructed to improve water drainage in the area. They allege that the signboard, claiming the culvert was built under a government allocation, was installed secretly at night. Many villagers said they fear speaking publicly due to the chairman’s influence. Ataur Rahman Mondal, a long-time Awami League leader, stated that the culvert was built under the Local Government Ministry’s Development Assistance Fund in the 2022–23 fiscal year with a budget of 225,000 taka.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Popi Khatun said the Development Assistance Fund is no longer active and that the allegation will be investigated, with legal action to follow if wrongdoing is confirmed.