Rajshahi Correspondent:

Aware Rajshahi residents have given a three-day ultimatum to remove Rajshahi Medical University (RAMU) Vice Chancellor (VC) Professor Dr. Jawadul Haque after allegations of demanding a 9 percent bribe from a contractor to provide work. The ultimatum was given from a human chain organized at Sahebbazar Zero Point in the city on Wednesday morning. The VC denied the allegations against him in a press conference on the day.

Project Director (PD) and VC Professor Dr. Jawadul Haque recently invited tenders worth Tk 777 crore in six packages for the construction of various infrastructures on the permanent campus of RAMU. There have been allegations of demanding a 9 percent commission from the contractor to provide these works. Ataur Rahman Tipu, the owner of a contracting company called Zenit Corporation, claims that the VC offered him work through a tender. He wanted a 9 percent commission in return. When the news about this was published in the media, a commotion started in Rajshahi. Many are demanding the removal of the VC.

On Wednesday at 11:30 am, a human chain was organized under the banner of 'Aware Rajshahi Citizens' at Sahebbazar Zero Point in the city. There, the president of the public leader Ataur Rahman Smriti Parishad, Saidur Rahman, announced that VC Jawadul Haque must be removed within the next three days. Otherwise, the VC's office will be surrounded.

He said that the VC's entire head is full of corruption. He took responsibility and looted thousands of mango trees on the campus. He cut down thousands of trees without a tender. Later, he handed over trees worth hundreds of crores of taka to a syndicate for a nominal price. Now, he has again asked for a 9 percent commission from the contractor to provide work worth 777 crore taka. If this corrupt VC is not removed within three days, we will surround his office.

In the program, CAB Rajshahi General Secretary Golam Mostafa Mamun said, this VC held seven important positions including college inspector and examination controller during the Awami League era. He earned money through corruption then. He became VC with that money. Now he is taking commission from contractors to collect money. He is also making a lot of money by making appointments. Recently, he appointed a director who does not have a certificate. If this VC is not removed, he will be dragged and removed from his chair. The people of Rajshahi will not tolerate it anymore.

Among others who spoke in the program were freedom fighter Shahjahan Ali Barjahan Barjahan, freedom fighter Abul Kalam Azad, general secretary of Janneta Ataur Rahman Smriti Parishad Aslam-ud-Daula, social organizer Salahuddin Mintu, business leader Shafiqur Rahman, and others. People from different classes and professions of Rajshahi participated in it.

Meanwhile, VC Jawadul Haque held a press conference at his office this morning after the allegations were made against him. There, he said that the two contracting companies that had made allegations against him have not done any work for Ramevi so far. Therefore, the allegations of asking for bribes from them are ridiculous. He claimed that he is doing everything according to the rules. Therefore, a conspiracy is going on against him. He also claimed that he has not committed any irregularities.