The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

An air-ticket was reportedly booked with three alternative dates for the departure of detained former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by a London-bound British Airway's flight for treatment in the USA.

An Awami League (AL) oriented businessman of Munshiganj district booked the tickets for Sheikh Hasina, who is the President of the party, informed sources said without disclosing the identity of the person.

The possible dates for her departure as per the booking are-March 7, 12 and 22, the sources added.

The AL Chief, who is suffering from multiple ailments since the early second week of February and was examined on February 21 by a 10-member medical board at a city hospital, was advised to go to the USA for medical treatment for her ear complications.

Chiefs of the medical board Prof Syed Modasser Ali and Dr ATM Abdullah after examining Sheikh Hasina, who was taken back to the Special Prison after the check up, told journalists that he ear complication could not be cured any country other than the USA.Sheikh Hasina herself also repeatedly expressed her desire to go to the USA, where her son Sajib Wazed Joy and daughter Saima Wazed Putul are living, for medical treatment.

Top leaders of her party learnt to have lobbied with the Government for sending her abroad.

When contacted, sources close to the policymakers of the Government could neither confirm nor reject the news that an air-ticket was booked for departure to London, where her younger sister is living along with children, on her way to the USA.

A senior official, however, dropped a broad hint about Sheikh Hasina's departure posing a counter question to this Correspondent saying, "Where is the problem for her treatment abroad."

Meanwhile, senior AL Presidium member Amir Hossain Amu yesterday demanded an immediate decision from the Caretaker Government to send both Sheikh Hasina and detained party General Secretary Abdul Jalil abroad for treatment.

Abdul Jalil, now under treatment at the LabAid hospital, is suffering from multiple health complications.

Amu said he was particularly worried about the reported deterioration of Jalil's condition.

"We demand both (Hasina and Jalil) be sent for overseas treatment," he told journalists at the party's headquarters after attending a namaz-e-janaza of former AL MP Advocate M Shamsul Haq.