Provide treatment to Shahidul

Eminent photographer Shahidul Alam's wife and one of his colleagues have urged the government and the jail authorities to immediately provide treatment to him.

His wife Rahnuma Ahmed and co-worker Saydia Gulrukh made the plea after visiting the photographer at Keraniganj Central Jail on the Eid day on Wednesday.

Shahidul was arrested on August 5 in a case filed under the controversial section 57 of the ICT Act. He was accused of “spreading propaganda and false information” against the government during the recent student movement for safe roads.

In a statement, Rahnuma and Gulrukh said Shahidul needed immediate medical attention as he was suffering from respiratory complications, problems with eyesight and pain in his jaw and gum.

He did not have these complications before he was picked up by detectives from his Dhanmondi home, said the duo.

“We appeal to the government and more specifically, to the jail authorities to ensure immediate treatment for Shahidul Alam by transferring him to a hospital,” they said in the statement.

A Dhaka court sent 63-year-old photographer to jail on August 12 on completion of his seven-day police remand in the case.