BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed has been shifted to North East Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (Neigrihms) hospital from Shillong Civil Hospital in Meghalaya for better treatment.

Subrata Acharya, India bureau chief of Somoy TV, who is covering Salahuddin's development, told The Daily Star that the BNP leader was admitted to the Neigrihms hospital around 5:30pm (Bangladesh Time).

When he was coming out of the Shillong Civil Hospital, he told reporters that he is thankful to the Indian government as well as the Shillong authorities for arranging his better treatment.

At the same time, the BNP leader called upon his countrymen to pray for his early recovery.

GK Goswami, who is attending Salahuddin at Shillong Civil Hospital, earlier in the day said a stone has been found in his kidney and it requires more medical examinations which is not available in the hospital.

He added the medical board formed for his treatment has suggested sending him to North East Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (Neigrihms) for better treatment.

Hasina Ahmed, wife of the BNP leader, met him at the hospital for a third consecutive day.

After visiting him, Hasina said they are giving priority to his treatment before dealing with the legal procedures.

She reiterated her desire to take Salahuddin to Singapore for better treatment.

The authorities of Shillong Civil Hospital yesterday handed over the medical reports of Salahuddin to the police. 

Dr Razen, joint director at the hospital, in his report said Salahuddin had been suffering from heart and kidney diseases. It said the patient developed fresh urological symptoms

The former state minister has been receiving treatment there under police custody since May 11. His wife Hasina Ahmed wants to take him to Singapore for better treatment.

Police arrested Salahuddin on May 11 when he was "roaming" in Golf Link area of Shillong nearly two months after he had gone missing. He was sued under the foreigners act for not carrying valid travel documents.

Salahuddin's family members and the BNP alleged that plainclothes law enforcers picked up the BNP joint general secretary from a house in the capital's Uttara on March 10. But the law enforcement agencies and the government refuted the allegation.