Barik had tried to stop the block supervisor from taking signature of the NREGA beneficiaries without releasing the money and warned him of dire consequences if the rest amount is not paid. The supervisor lodged a complaint with police against Barik and Gajapati Rajhans, the beneficiary, for forcefully taking away the muster roll. Gajapati and his son Arakhit were also arrested. "We arrested them after receiving complaints of they stealing the muster roll register from the block supervisor", police officer of Lakhanpur police station said.
But Gunanidhi kept the register as an evidence of the bunglings. "We never intended to steal the register. We have kept it as an evidence of misappropriation. We have also circulated the photostat copies of the muster roll to expose the corrupt practices going on in the block in NREGA work", Gunanidhi said. He said there were signatures of many persons who are already dead.
Contacted, BDO of Lakhanpur P C Bhoi expressed ignorance about misappropriation. "I have never received any such complaint. The scheme is being implemented as per rule", he said.