Home Adviser opens emergency 'Hotline' service at Dhaka Central Jail

Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen. (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury today (Sunday) inaugurated the prison's emergency service (hotline number 09612) at the Dhaka Central Jail, Keraniganj. 

"This emergency service will be operational round-the-clock in the prison . . . Relatives of the prisoners will be able to get every information about the inmates in jail," he told journalists after the opening ceremony.

Jahangir Alam, also agriculture adviser, said through the 'Hotline', relatives would be able to know about a prisoner's location, date of appearance (in court), date of meeting with the prisoner, date of phone conversation, prisoner's health condition, release on parole and any complaints as well as suggestions.

He said the individuals who received injuries in the July uprising will be given jobs in the emergency services (Hotline) in prisons.

Replying to a query of the newsmen, the home adviser said as many as 700 fugitives, out of total inmates who escaped from the prison during the July-August revolution, are still on the run while the rest were arrested and kept in jail.

A comprehensive investigation is underway about those who are still outside, he added.

Lt Gen (Retd.) Jahangir Alam said no convict was released from the jail under the general amnesty after August 5, but those came out of jail were released on bail.

The adviser said, "If those on bail are found involved in new criminal activities, they will be apprehended and brought to justice."

Responding to another question, he said robbery and extortion have increased across the country, including Dhaka, but tough action is being taken against them.

The adviser said efforts are being made to reduce robbery and extortion.

Noting that there is no shortage of police, he said, "But they (police) need to be more sincere in discharging their respective duties."

The home adviser visited the prisons and enquired about the wellbeing of the prisoners inside the Keraniganj Central Jail.

"The prisoners are being served with a fixed amount of food items. However, there may be some problems due to the high number of prisoners at present, but efforts are underway to resolve it," he added.