BANGLADESH

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chairman Mizanur Rahman has threatened to move to the High Court against the prison chief for 'violating law' as he has also demanded his removal.

Mizanur made the statement when authorities of the Sylhet Central Jail on Thursday prevented him from entering the jail in line with an order of the inspector general (IG) of prison.

"The commission will move the High Court against the IG of prison for not following constitutional law, if necessary," Mizanur told reporters around 11:30am.

Mizanur, who teaches law at Dhaka University, said he tried to enter the jail for around one and a half hours from 9am, but failed to get through.

The IG prison did not even pay heed to the local administration's calls to allow him, the NHRC chief said.

He wanted to visit the jail to see if human rights of the inmates are intact and to forward some proposals to the government for reforms.

"How has he considered himself so powerful?" asked Mizanur, adding the post should be held by someone who understands law.