Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has expressed concerns about allegations of irregularities and corruption in the ongoing developmental activities at Jahangirnagar University (JU).
The graft-watchdog agency made their concerns known in a media statement on Thursday (Aug 29).
Stating solidarity with the protest of students and teachers of the university, they demanded fair probe into the allegations and bringing the perpetrators to justice.
JU teachers and students have been staging demonstrations against some of the development activities which they claim is causing harm to the biodiversity and environment of the campus.
According to media reports, JU authority is carrying out development activities, including construction of a new hall, on the campus in an unplanned method.
The authority's decision to remove trees and fixing spot for constructing the new hall is threatening to the environment, according to the protesters.
Protesters have also accused the authority of being involved in unethical financial transactions with the ruling party's student front in the tender process of the development activities.
In the statement, TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said: "It is essential to ensure transparency in all developmental works of educational institutions. The university authority's job is to ensure accountability and their failure to do so in this case is disconcerting."
He said the authority's inability to provide detailed information on the ongoing activities in due time raises question about transparency.
Moreover, the authority has repeatedly failed to review the demands of the protesters in this regard. It is time to sit with the protesters and realize their demands, he said.
Iftekharuzzaman also urged the JU authority take immediate and effective measures to resolve the issue, avoiding further escalation of the situation.