- 514 foreign prisoners in country

- No formal alert issued, but jails vigilant

- Keraniganj jail ready for opening by Nov 15

Security has been strengthened in all jails across Bangladesh after the killings of foreign nationals, the chief of prisons said today.

Inspector General of Prisons Brig Gen Syed Iftekhar Uddin passed the comment in response to a query during a press conference in Dhaka.

"We received no instruction on red alert from the ministry. But we are always alert about the security," he said.

The IG prisons further said that the security measures have been beefed up following killings of the two foreign nationals. 

A total of 514 foreign prisoners are now being held at different jails across the country, he added. Fifty-five are Indians, 14 Myanmar, 2 Nepalese and two Pakistanis are awaiting release.

"We are vigilant to prevent any communication with prisoners and criminals," he said responding to a query. "There is no lacking in our sincerity, but there is manpower crisis."

Regarding Keraniganj central jail, he said it will be completed for inauguration by November 15. "And then, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the jail at her convenient time."

Later, the Dhaka Central Jail, which has been constructed on around nine acres of land, will be shifted to Keraniganj from Lalbagh, he added.

A total of 4000 male prisoners will be shifted there for the first phase and later more 4000 prisoners will also be taken there in phases he said.