Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Secretary General of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), along with Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and other incarcerated leaders, is reportedly facing challenging conditions in jail. Many of these imprisoned leaders are not receiving adequate treatment and are enduring an unbearable life, particularly in the harsh winter.

According to relatives of the incarcerated senior leaders, these leaders had routine checkups when they were free, but health checkups are not being conducted regularly in jail. Mirza Fakhrul and Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas, among others, have reportedly lost around 5 kg weight each. BNP Joint Secretary General Advocate Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal has become seriously ill and is not receiving proper treatment within the prison. The authorities in charge of the jail allegedly neglect these leaders' healthcare needs.

BNP Health Secretary Dr Rafiqul Islam expressed concern, stating that senior leaders are not faring well in prison, particularly during the severe winter. He highlighted the weight loss experienced by the party's general secretary, Mirza Fakhrul, and Mirza Abbas. Dr. Rafiqul mentioned that Mirza Fakhrul is dealing with an aggravated case of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), while Mirza Abbas is grappling with uncontrolled diabetes. Vice Chairman Altaf Hossain Chowdhury and other leaders are also reportedly facing various physical complications in prison.

Dr. Rafiqul Islam emphasised that Advocate Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal is severely ill and urgently requires a medical checkup. Despite appealing to prison authorities, there has been no response. Consequently, other incarcerated leaders are also enduring a challenging existence without adequate treatment in jail. Organizing Secretary Syed Imran Saleh Prince is among those facing various physical complications while in detention. The senior leaders, as a whole, are grappling with diverse physical challenges exacerbated by the harsh winter conditions in prison.

Habibur Rahman Habib, a member of the BNP Chairperson's advisory council, is serving a sentence in jail. His brother revealed that Habib is experiencing pain in his legs and knees, along with a diabetes issue. During family visits, Habib maintains a cheerful demeanour but refrains from discussing his physical problems, as it may cause concern among relatives. Additionally, his brother mentioned that Habib has a liver problem for which he underwent a transplant. While regular checkups were accessible outside the prison, it is currently not feasible for Habib to receive such checkups within the confines of the prison.

Jahangir Howladar, the personal assistant of Advocate Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, expressed concern about Alal's deteriorating physical condition, emphasising on the need for regular checkups. An application has been submitted to the jail authorities for the necessary medical examinations, but there has been a lack of attention from the prison authorities. Howladar shared that Alal was diagnosed with a tumour in his kidney, which prompted him to undergo surgery in India. Since the operation, Alal requires regular follow-ups. Despite dealing with health issues for an extended period, he sought better treatment in India based on doctors' recommendations.

BNP's Assistant Organisational Secretary for Mymensingh Division, Shariful Alam, is reportedly facing various issues due to the extremely cold conditions in prison, according to his private driver, Md. Ratan Mia. Ratan Mia mentioned that this winter has been particularly harsh, causing discomfort for Shariful Alam. However, he added that Shariful Alam's health has improved recently.

During a press conference held at the party's central office in Nayapaltan yesterday, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi expressed dissatisfaction, stating, "There seems to be no sense of justice at the level of consciousness of the incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina." Rizvi criticised the government's use of violence and asserted that the ruling Awami government has consistently failed to engage in political discussion with goodwill. He also pointed out the government's control over destructive power and the use of aggressive language.

He expressed, "Over the past three to four months, thousands of BNP leaders and activists have been arrested to facilitate the completion of the fraudulent January 7 election. Appalling instances of brutal torture have taken place, resulting in fatalities due to physical abuse, and numerous activists have been left incapacitated. The record of remand-torture in prison has surpassed that of tyrants worldwide, with reports of broken limbs, removal of fingernails and toenails, and instances where shots fired by the police blinded individuals."

Rizvi voiced his concerns, stating, "Currently, many individuals secure bail from the court but remain detained despite the court's decision. They are promptly arrested again on new charges upon their release with bail papers. The police administration affiliated with the Awami League seems to be toying with the lives of leaders and activists from pro-democracy parties, including the BNP. It appears as though the illegitimate government is employing state machinery to oppress BNP leaders and activists in an attempt to maintain control. Despite obtaining bail, individuals are not released at the jail gate unless they pay a sum of money, leaving many impoverished activists incarcerated simply because they cannot afford to pay. Sheikh Hasina has transformed law and order forces into a tool for retaliating against the BNP. What were once law and order forces now seem to function as Awami security forces. I vehemently condemn the lawlessness at the jail gate and the unethical practice of securing release in exchange for money. Over the past fifteen years, law enforcement and intelligence agencies have been granted unchecked authority to extort money from BNP activists, and this needs to be strongly condemned and protested against."