JU professor says received death threats over protesting lake filling
UNB
Publish: 19 Jun 2024, 05:28 PM
Jahangirnagar
University, Jun 19 (UNB)-Professor Zaheer Raihan, also known as Raihan Rayne,
from Jahangirnagar University has said he received death threats on his mobile
phone following his protest against the construction of a building on a lake
declared a bird sanctuary.
Professor Raihan filed a
general diary (GD) at Sirajganj Sadar Police Station in his home district on
Monday, June 17.
In the GD, Professor
Raihan reported that while at his village home with his family during the Eid
holiday, he received a threatening call on June 16 at 11:41 pm. The
unidentified caller said, "I will finish you in two days."
The university
administration has been filling up the lake, known as a sanctuary for migratory
birds, for a new building project. This has sparked protests from teachers and
students who argue that the development is environmentally harmful and
unplanned. Professor Raihan has been at the forefront of these protests.
With the university
closed since last Wednesday, contractors hastily began construction by cutting
trees and filling the lake. However, the work was halted on Thursday due to
protests from university students, teachers, and civil society representatives.
End/UNB/Corr/KW