Former ministers and MPs to offer Eid prayers together in special prison

Many former ministers, members of parliament (MPs) and high-ranking officials who once held important positions in politics and administration will celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr inside the prison this time.

These VIP prisoners in the Keraniganj special prison will participate in the Eid congregation together. The prison authorities have taken strict security measures on this occasion.

According to prison sources, about 123 former ministers, MPs and officials are being held in this special prison as accused in the July 2024 mass uprising-related murder case. Among them are Salman F. Rahman, Anisul Haque, Junaid Ahmed Palak, Hasanul Haque Inu and Asaduzzaman Noor.

New clothes have been arranged for the prisoners on the occasion of Eid. Many have received clothes from their families, and for those who do not have those, the Prisons Department and the Social Welfare Department have provided lungis, t-shirts and Punjabis.

Assistant Inspector General of Prisons Md. Jannatul Farhad said that special arrangements have been made in all prisons of the country for Eid. Prisoners will be able to talk to their relatives on mobile phones for a limited time and will have the opportunity to receive food brought by them.

A congregation will be held in Keraniganj Special Prison, where all VIP prisoners will offer prayers together. However, former IGP Abdullah Al Mamun has been kept in a separate cell as he is a state witness; for security reasons, he may be given the opportunity to participate in the congregation.

Currently, there are prisoners in 73 of the country's 75 prisons and about 78,500 prisoners, including detainees and prisoners, are staying there. On Eid day, payes, semai and muri will be served in the morning, polao, beef rejala or khasi, eggs, chicken roast, sweets and salads in the afternoon, and rice, rui fish and potato stew will be served in the evening.

In addition, there are plans to organize a cultural program after prayers on Eid and a friendly football match the next day. Prisoners will also have the opportunity to meet their relatives directly on any one of the three days of Eid.