BNP former MP Syeda Asifa Ashrafi Papia’s children on Sunday demanded the release of their ‘ailing’ mother from jail on humanitarian ground.”Our mother is sick. She has been kept in jail in false and baseless cases for over two months. We want justice from the government. We’re going through a critical time without her. We demand her immediate release,” said her son Rubaiyat Ibne Harun (Rafi).Rubaiyat, a class six student, made the demand at a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club. Papia’s two daughters-Nishat Sadia Rashid and Rifat Raida Rashid also spoke at the programme. Her eldest daughter claimed that their father and BNP organizing secretariat Harunur Rashid is also ill. “Our father should go abroad very soon for his treatment. He can’t do so as we’re alone. If our father goes abroad when our mom is in jail, how will we stay alone?We’re deprived of mother’s affection. Please release our mom.” Nishat, also an ‘A-level’ student, said their education has badly been affected as their mother is in jail. She said they urged the government to set their mother free from jail on humanitarian ground. On June 16, three Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrates sent Papia to jail in connection with nine political cases when she surrendered before the courts on completion of her High Court bail.
