Eminent citizens demand Manna's release

Some eminent personalities yesterday demanded Nagorik Oikya Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna's immediate release, providing him the scope for self-defence and ensuring his proper treatment for, what they said, ailments resulting from mental torture following arrest.

The proper treatment's absence was worrying the country's citizens as they knew the media personality and columnist played an important role in restoring democracy and implementing human rights, they said through a Nagorik Oikya press release, reports UNB.

Manna has been in jail for over a year without trial and has neither been given division nor granted bail, it added.

The signatories to the statement include Dhaka University teachers Prof Abdul Kashem Fazlul Haque and Dr Asif Nazrul, Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury, Manabzamin Editor Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, educationist Mahbub Ullah, New Age Editor Nurul Kabir, journalist Mahfuz Ullah and Amader Orthoneeti Editor Nayeemul Islam Khan.

Manna was arrested on February 24, 2015, a day after his telephone conversation with BNP leader Sadeque Hossain Khoka about strengthening the anti-government movement, among many other issues, was leaked. A sedition case was filed against the two on March 5.