Sylhet Central Jail to be shifted, finally
Ministers to lay foundation stone at new site today
The 222-year old Sylhet Central Jail will finally be shifted to a new location in Badaghat area, 8 kilometres off the city.
Thirty acres of land had already been acquired for construction of the new central jail, official sources said yesterday.
Although the decision for shifting the jail was taken more than a decade ago, the site was finalised last year, after several disagreements and changes.
Finance Minister AMA Muhith and Home Minister Sahara Khatun would lay the foundation stone of the new jail today.
The then collector William John took the initiative for setting up Sylhet Central Jail and it was constructed at its present site in 1789 at a cost of Tk one lakh.
The jail, once served for the Sylhet-Assam region, was constructed on 25 acres of land for 1200 jailmates. A number of death sentences were carried out while veteran political leaders stayed at the jail on occasions during British, Pakistan and Bangladesh rule.
Neighbouring people suffer a lot as the existing jail stands in the heart of the city. Sometimes it becomes a tough task to transport the jailmates to and from the court in time everyday.
The present 2800-capacity jail accommodates about 8000 inmates. Tender for the construction work of the new jail is in the process, said Deputy jailer Nesar Ahmed.
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