An allegation has surfaced against a local union council in Khulna’s Dakop Upazila for felling more than 200 roadside trees without floating tender for the work.

The trees were removed from a 2km stretch of road in two wards of Koilashganj Union to facilitate ongoing road development work.

Local residents claim that different species, including Shirish and Chambul, were cut down over the past few days, and a portion of the timber has already been sold in secret.

The incident has triggered a series of conflicting statements from the local administration and the union council.

Prabir Mondal, the acting chairman of Koilashganj Union Parishad, admitted that the trees were felled but maintained that the action was necessary for the road’s development.

He claimed the trees were being kept in the custody of the union council and would be sold by inviting bids later to deposit the proceeds into the government exchequer.

He also alleged that the trees were cut following instructions from the Upazila administrator and advice from the Upazila engineer.

The Upazila administrator and engineer denied their knowledge of the matter, promising to investigate it.