70 noted citizens call for transparency
Seventy eminent teachers, professionals and activists have demanded appointment of an ombudsman for effective implementation of the masterplan adopted for the development of Jahangirnagar University (JU).
They also demanded formation of a powerful monitoring cell with participation of teachers and students, to put an end to all questions and allegations.
In a joint statement, they expressed their support to the demands of teachers and students who are protesting a Tk 1,445 crore development masterplan, bringing various allegations.
Dhaka University’s Professor Emeritus Serajul Islam Choudhury and Prof Gitiara Nasreen, human rights activists Hamida Hossain, Sultana Kamal and Shaheen Anam are among the signatories to the statement.
The statement said, “We’re concerned over the allegations that the masterplan has been formulated keeping no scope of including observations and opinions of teachers and students of the university.”
“It would be undemocratic and unexpected if the allegations prove to be true that the masterplan is a non-transparent one,” it further said.
“For long-term benefit, the masterplan and its implementation need to be made transparent, democratic and participatory,” they opined.
They demanded proper investigation into the allegations of misappropriation of Tk 2 crore from the project, cutting down of valuable trees and attacks on protesting students.
They also urged to stop all kinds of violence.
“We expect that an environment-friendly and cost-saving infrastructure will be built, putting minimum impact on landscape, environment, ecology and biodiversity of Jahangirnagar University,” it said. The signatories also demanded inclusion of effective and specific protection strategy and planning for the implementation of the masterplan without misappropriation, financial irregularities, misuse, corruption, violence and extortion.
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