By IANS
Dhaka : There are 200 Indians among some 1,000-plus foreign prisoners in Bangladesh, the media reported Sunday.
Jail authorities say that many of the prisoners have completed their sentences but are languishing because the countries they are supposed to belong do not recognise their nationality. Arranging accommodation and food for them costs the exchequer roughly Taka 10 million a year.
It is "a great headache for the prison authorities, already troubled with overcrowded jails", said Inspector General of Prisons Brigadier General Sakhawat Khan.
Of the prisoners, who include eight women, 400 are from Myanmar and 200 from India. The rest are citizens of Pakistan, Nigeria, Malaysia, Tanzania, Nepal, Ghana and Saudi Arabia.
The foreigners were arrested on various charges including smuggling of drugs and trespassing, officials told New Age Sunday.
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