Prisoner undergoes surgery to remove 50 lighters, metal objects

Doctors have removed more than 50 gas lighters, nail cutters, pieces of brick and other objects from the stomach of a life-term convict after he was admitted to hospital with severe abdominal pain.

The prisoner, identified as Hasmat Ali, 44, was previously held at Kashimpur High Security Central Jail.

Senior Jail Superintendent of the prison Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun confirmed the matter on Thursday (November 12) night. He said Hasmat's condition had improved following the surgery and that he was currently under close medical observation.

According to prison sources, Hasmat, a resident of Ramdebpur village in Ghatail upazila of Tangail, is serving a life sentence in a criminal case. He developed severe abdominal pain on the evening of October 31 and was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). An X-ray examination revealed several metallic and other foreign objects inside his stomach and abdomen.

Doctors identified abnormal masses and complications in his abdomen during further examinations. On November 4, surgeons performed an operation and removed more than 50 gas lighters, nail cutters, pieces of brick and other objects.

Swallowing the objects had caused complications in his digestive system. At one stage, he would vomit whenever he tried to consume anything other than water.

Prison authorities said Hasmat had been swallowing the objects at different times over the past three months. As he was mentally distressed and expressed an interest in keeping himself occupied through work, prison authorities assigned him cleaning duties. During this time, he collected discarded gas lighters from prison waste and swallowed them.

Senior Jail Superintendent Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun said Hasmat had been suffering from prolonged mental distress. When his physical condition deteriorated, he was promptly taken to hospital. He is now recovering following the surgery, he added.

Hasmat is currently receiving treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital under the supervision of Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj. His physical condition is being closely monitored.