Rajshahi, Aug. 11 (V7N) — Allegations of extortion, physical abuse and harassment have been raised against a senior assistant prison guard at Rajshahi Central Jail, with inmates and their relatives claiming that prisoners were pressured to pay money in exchange for basic facilities and to avoid punishment.
The accused guard has been identified as Russell, badge number 1872. Relatives of inmates said he is allegedly known among prisoners as “CID Russell”.
According to the allegations, prisoners who fail to pay money are threatened with having their food stopped, being physically assaulted or being assigned difficult work. Relatives claimed that some inmates have been forced to ask their families to send money because of the alleged pressure inside the jail.
Several relatives said inmates had secretly contacted their families by phone and complained of harassment and mistreatment allegedly linked to the prison guard.
One inmate's relative, speaking on condition of anonymity, alleged that prisoners were living in fear inside the facility. The relative claimed that the guard regularly demanded money and threatened inmates with punishment, including deprivation of food, physical abuse and strenuous work, if the money was not provided.
The allegations have reportedly caused concern among the families of inmates. They have called for an impartial investigation to establish whether the claims are true and urged the authorities to take strict action if any wrongdoing is proven.
Lawyers and human rights advocates have also called for the allegations to be investigated seriously. They said every prisoner is entitled to safety and humane treatment while in custody and that any proven use of threats or abuse to obtain money would constitute a serious violation of prison regulations and the rights of detainees.
Rajshahi Central Jail Senior Jail Superintendent Al Mamun said there was no scope for prisoners to be abused or forced to pay money inside the facility.
“If a written complaint is submitted, or if an investigation establishes the allegations, strict departmental and legal action will be taken against the person responsible,” he said.
The accused prison guard, Russell, could not immediately be reached for comment.
Relatives of the inmates have called for an independent investigation into the allegations and urged the authorities to ensure the safety and rights of prisoners while the claims are being examined.
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