Hospitals asked to cut 'short' long stays of VIP prisoners
Jail authorities have requested the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) and Bangladesh Institute of Research and Rehabilitation in Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders (BIRDEM) authorities to send back high profile prisoners to jail immediately.
The requests have been made as other ailing prisoners are being deprived of treatment facilities in the hospitals due to the prolonged, and often unnecessary, stay of VIP prisoners, jail sources said.
Meanwhile, jail authorities on Wednesday seized a letter from the possession of former Barisal City Corporation (BCC) mayor Mujibur Rahman Sarwar detained in Dhaka Central Jail.
The letter, found on him soon after the visit of his wife, contained advise on how to 'fake' illnesses to get himself hospitalised.
Deputy Inspector General of Prisons (DIG-Prisons) Maj Shamsul Haider Siddique told The Daily Star, "We have written separate letters to the vice chancellor of the BSMMU and the director general of the BIRDEM asking them to take immediate measures to send back those prisoners who do not need to stay at the hospitals anymore."
He said due to the over stay of VIP prisoners, other prisoners are being deprived of valuable facilities despite serious illnesses.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Prisons (IG-Prisons) Brig Gen Zakir Hassan told The Daily Star, "The letter seized from the former Barisal mayor contains some tips on how to 'fake' illnesses to be hospitalised."
He said the letter proves that many VIP prisoners are over staying in hospitals 'faking' illnesses.
Jail sources said at present 21 VIPs are staying at BSMMU while two others are at the BIRDEM.
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