Dhaka, Sep 29 (bdnews24.com)—The National Human Rights Commission chairman was not allowed into Sylhet Central Jail as he did not seek permission from the proper authorities, the inspector general (prisons) has said.
"Mizanur Rahman did not apply for a visit to Sylhet prison. He was told to get home ministry's approval but didn't do that either," Ashraful Islam Khan told bdnews24.com Thursday evening.
"Prison is a sensitive organisation. No one should enter there against the rules," he said.
After having waited one-and-a-half hours, trying unsuccessfully to enter the jail premises on Thursday, NHRC chairman Mizanur Rahman demanded removal of the prisons chief and threatened to move the court against him for 'violating constitutional law'.
"Prison inmates are dangerous criminals," Ashraf said. "If we let a VIP like Mizanur in without sufficient security, we'll have to take the fire if something happens to him."
When told that there were reserve guards in every prison at all times for the protection of visiting VIPs, Ashraf said that even so, dangerous inmates needed to be locked up before such a visit.
When asked about Mizanur's demand for his removal, the IG prisons said, "This is a matter of personal opinion."
In reply to a question he said he did not speak directly to the chairman but communicated through the jailor.
"But I've spoken to the home minister about the issue. She told me that Mizanur should call her," Ashraf added.
"The human rights commission chairman visited Sirajganj Jail before. He had taken permission beforehand. There had been no such complications back then," Ashraf said.
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