The caretaker government is considering overseas treatment of Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman Koko, the two detained sons of ex-premier Khaleda Zia, after having received applications from their kin, reports UNB.
"Today we received the application of Tarique Rahman sent by his wife Dr Zobaida Rahman for his treatment abroad," a senior official of the Chief Adviser's office said Sunday.
Koko's application for treatment outside the country has been filed earlier.
In reply to a question, the official said the government would take decisions regarding their treatment abroad after considering the medical boards' recommendations and the legal aspects. He said it may take few more days to complete the process and take the decision.
However, no application was submitted from BNP to the government for the release and treatment of its detained chairperson and ex-PM Khaleda Zia. She is more concerned about treatment of her two detained sons outside the country
BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain Sunday urged the government to immediately send Tarique and Koko abroad considering their critical health conditions. "Otherwise," he said, "the government will be held responsible for any situation."
Communications Adviser Maj Gen (retd) Ghulam Quader said the government would consider BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's treatment abroad on humanitarian grounds if any written application was moved on her behalf-the way another detained ex-pm, Awami League President Sheikh Hasina, was given temporary release for her treatment in the US.
Home Affairs Adviser Maj Gen (retd) MA Matin avoided a straight answer, and said the release of Khaleda and her two sons for treatment depends on the decision of the government.
Earlier, Home Affairs Adviser Maj Gen (Retd) MA Matin Sunday said overseas treatment of Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman Koko would depend on the government's decision.
Addressing a press conference at his ministry, he said applications for their treatment abroad were already received by the Home Ministry.
About Koko's treatment, he said barring one, all his medical tests have already been done, while Tarique's treatment application was received Sunday.
On current crackdown allegedly on political activists, the Adviser categorically said the government has no political motive behind these arrests. "The current drive is not being conducted to undermine, harass or arrest anybody with any political motive," he said, adding those who are being arrested have specific allegations against them.
Some 24,062 people were arrested from May 29 to June 12 against 19,362 arrested during the same period last year, said the Adviser, denying the allegation of mass arrest.
Of the arrestees, he said 16,997 were arrested under warrants, 153 under arms and explosives substance act, and 7,521 in connection with other cases including murder and rape. Only 191 people were arrested under the Emergency Power Rules (EPR).
Asked about sudden deterioration of law and order situation, the Home Adviser said that terrorists who had been in hideouts might have surfaced thinking that law and order is now relaxed ahead of the elections.
Matin said special operations have been launched to improve the law and order situation and remove fear from public mind. He said the armed forces are helping police to make the drive successful.
The Adviser said accommodation capacity of the prisons is 27,368, but the number of inmates in prisons was 86,504 on June 7.
