As many as 1,086 condemned prisoners, including four Jamaat leaders—Muhammad Kamaruzzaman, Ali Ahsan Muhammad Mujahid, Delwar Hosaain Sayedee and Abul Kalam Azad, alias Bachchu Razakar—involved in atrocities against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War, are awaiting the gallows, according to sources in the department of prisons. The authorities could not carry out the death sentences due to bureaucratic tangle, and the delay in legal formalities, the sources said.
State minister for home affairs, advocate Shamsul Haque Tuku, told The Independent that they carry out the execution of the condemned cell inmates, only after disposal of appeal and clemency pleas.
“The authorities are trying to complete the legal process to execute the death sentences of the condemned cell inmates,” he said.
Sources said the country’s prisons are overcrowded. There are 63,169 prisoners as of November this year, against a capacity of 33,824 in 68 jails across the country.
Owing to the paucity of space in prison cells, all the inmates are living in squalid and unhealthy conditions with inadequate toilet, shower and sleeping facilities, the sources added.
Of the total number of prisoners, 20,124 have already been convicted, while 42,955 are undergoing trials. There are about 90 foreigners waiting to return home.
The condition of 21 jails in the Dhaka division is the worst: it now has 14, 621 prisoners against a capacity of 10,902.
The eight jails in the Rajshahi division with a capacity of 4,164 have 4,554 prisoners now.
There are 4,554 inmates in eight jails in the Rajshahi division, sharing the space for 4,164 prisoners. Similarly, 11 jails in the Chittagong division with a capacity for 5,681 prisoners now have 9,475 inmates.
The four jails in the Sylhet division have space for 2,168 prisoners, but have 3,067 inmates now while the 10 jails in the Khulna division with a capacity of only 4,999 prisoners have 5,038 inmates. The six jails in the Barisal division, with a capacity of 1,463 prisoners house 2,126 inmates.
The eight jails in the Rangpur division, having space for 4,447 prisoners, house 2,672 inmates.
The sources said that the numbers of prisoners, however, have reduced over the years. The jail authority is releasing some prisoners, after quickly disposing of pending cases, the sources added.
-With The Independent input
