DHAKA: The release of 1,074 prisoners from country’s prisons under an amnesty on the occasion of holy Ramadan and Eid-ul-fitr began Thursday, with 25 lifers walking to freedom out of Dhaka jail after primetime of life lost behind bars.   

Inspector-General of prisons Brigadier General Ashraful Islam Khan disclosed the government clemency at a press conference at his office in Dhaka Central Jail at 11:45 am.

Thereafter, 25 prisoners were set free from the central jail

Meanwhile, the jail authorities took necessary initiatives to set free 60 prisoners Thursday from Rajshahi Central Jail, banglanews24.com.bd correspondent reports.

This would be the largest mass release of prisoners for the country, said the chief of the prison authorities.
The IG (prisons) also said, “The jail authority received the order issued by the Home Ministry on Wednesday night following the directive of the prime minister.”

The authorities granted amnesty to those prisoners who are elderly and mentally sick or have shown good conduct, said brigadier Ashraf Khan.

Inmates who have already served 20 years in jail are being released from jails across the country under title 569 of the prison code, he added.

The IG hoped that the convicts would not be detrimental to society after their release.   
Ninety-four convicts from Kashimpur jail and another 75 from Dhaka central jail are also being set free under the process, he told reporters.

BDST: 1603 HRS, AUG 19, 2010.