"We expressed deep concern over the arrest of Abdul Jalil, one of the organisers of the Liberation War and General Secretary of Awami League, who is seriously ill," they said adding that he (Jalil) is suffering from kidney problems, diabetes, liver and heart related diseases.

They said regular check-up, taking necessary medicines, nursing and a friendly environment is a "must" for his life.

The signatories to the statement are Prof Kabir Chowdhury, Justice KM Sobhan, Poet Mahbubul Alam Chowdhury, Poet Syed Shamsul Haque, folklore researcher Shamsuzzaman Khan, Ramendu Majumdar, Dr Atiur Rahman, Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique, Dr Harun-or-Rashid, Dr Anwar Hossain, Nasir Uddin Yusuf, poet Belal Chowdhury, Dr Muhammad Samad, and architect Rabiul Husain among others.