Accept students’ demands, probe graft allegations: TIB to JU

Expressing solidarity with the ongoing student protest, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) today urged Jahangirnagar University (JU) authorities to probe into the “irregularities” centering its development work.

"It is essential to ensure clarity in development works at all educational institutes including the universities," Dr Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of TIB, said in a statement issued today.

Expressing concern over the allegations, the anti-graft watchdog urged the authorities to investigate into the allegation so that the perpetrators can be brought to book.

The authorities should consider the demands of the protesting students without any delay and take effective steps to ensure accountability, he added.

WHAT ARE THE ALLEGATIONS?

Teachers and students of JU have been demonstrating since Friday after it was circulated that some BCL leaders allegedly took money promising not to stand in the way of a Tk 1,445-crore campus development project.

None from the pro-ruling party’s student organisation, the administration or project contractors has been willing to speak on record.

But, on condition of anonymity, at least 10 leaders and activists of JU BCL earlier told The Daily Star that they had got shares from Tk 1 crore handed over to three factions of the student body.

Another Tk 1 crore was allegedly given to central BCL leaders, according to media reports.

The protesters, also angered by felling of trees for the construction project, now demand a judicial probe into the allegations of corruption and irregularities centring the mega project.