14 VIPs go back to jail in a week

At least 14 VIP inmates who are having treatment at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) prison cell are to be moved back to jail within one week.
The BSMMU authorities will gradually discharge VIP prisoners who can have treatment in jail.
Jail and BSMMU authorities made the decision yesterday after allegations were made in connection with undue overstay of VIP inmates at the prison cell depriving other sick prisoners of their treatment facilities. Several meetings were also held before in this regard.
Sources said a number of the VIP prisoners at the prison cell have been carrying out their political and business activities and have also been meeting their relatives on regular basis.
Jail sources said out of the 19 VIP inmates at BSMMU prison cell, 14 are allegedly staying there even though they are not seriously sick. A number of the doctors also allegedly had a hand in their undue stay at the prison cell, the sources said.
Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG-Prisons) Maj Shamsul Haider Siddique told The Daily Star, "We are hopeful that we will be able to move back the prisoners whose treatment is possible in jail."
"We have talked to the VC [vice-chancellor] of BSMMU and the doctors concerned about this," he said, adding, "The process of taking them gradually back to jail may start within three to four days."
Prof Mohammad Tahir, vice-chancellor of BSMMU, told The Daily Star, "It is true that all 19 VIP prisoners are sick. But I have told doctors concerned to consider discharging those who can have treatment in jail."
The VC said, "Most of the inmates are suffering from various minor diseases, including blood pressure [high or low] and diabetes, which are not cent percent curable. Therefore, it is possible to continue their treatment keeping them in the jail."
"There are a number of other sick prisoners who need to get the treatment facilities here but they are being deprived of their right as there is no space for them," he said.
On the allegation of doctors being involved with the inmates' overstay, the VC on Sunday said, "I cannot say for sure… obviously every doctor concerned is not involved in such acts."
The 19 prisoners, including three women, have been under treatment at the BSMMU prison cell for the last two to three months.
According to sources, the jail authorities have already prepared a list of the prisoners who need the special treatment facilities. They are: Arafat Rahman Koko, younger son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, former minister Tariqul Islam, former state minister for home affairs Lutfozzaman Babar, Khulna City Mayor Sheikh Tayebur Rahman and Jamaat-e-Islami leader Mizanur Rahman.
Former Awami League lawmaker Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, former Awami League lawmaker Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir, former BNP lawmaker Mosaddak Ali Falu, wife of ex-minister Nazmul Huda, Sigma Huda, former BNP lawmaker Ali Asghar Lobi's wife Khushnud Asghar, former JP lawmaker Anwara Begum, BNP Secretary General Hannan Shah, former lawmaker MA Hashem, Amzad Hossain Sarkar, Prof Rafiqul Islam, former Awami League lawmaker Lotus Kamal, Janakantha Editor Atikullah Khan Masud, and ntv Managing Director Eneyatur Rahman Bappi are among the VIP prisoners staying at the BSMMU prison cell.