The Border Security Force (BSF) has issued a strong rebuttal to recent reports in Bangladeshi media concerning the murder of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi. The force has labeled the claims that suspects crossed into India as "false, fabricated, and misleading."
BSF Chief Dismisses Allegations as Baseless
On Monday, BSF Inspector General OP Upadhyay categorically denied the allegations circulating in sections of the Bangladeshi press. The reports had suggested that two individuals accused in the high-profile murder case of Inqilab Moncho leader Sharif Osman Hadi had managed to enter Indian territory.
Upadhyay, who heads the BSF's Meghalaya frontier, clarified to the news agency ANI that no such cross-border movement has been detected or reported from the sensitive Meghalaya sector. He pointed out significant inconsistencies in the claims made across the border.
"The claims are completely false, fabricated, and misleading, and there is no evidence to support them," stated Inspector General Upadhyay. He highlighted that just three days prior, a Bangladeshi IG-rank officer had stated no evidence existed, only for a DIG-level officer to later make contradictory remarks.
Implausible Claims and Professional Denials
The BSF official elaborated on the logistical improbability of the alleged incident. He noted that the entry point mentioned in the reports is located nearly 300 km from Dhaka. Given the extensive network of CCTV surveillance and multiple security checkpoints within Bangladesh, such a movement would be "highly implausible."
Furthermore, Upadhyay revealed that the Bangladeshi media had alleged the Meghalaya Police had apprehended the individuals. Upon direct verification, the state police force denied any such claims. The Inspector General also emphasized that their counterparts, the professional Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB), have not reported any such border crossing incident either.
"Therefore, the allegations are highly unlikely, totally false and fabricated," he concluded, putting the matter to rest from India's perspective.
Context of Political Turmoil in Bangladesh
The controversy emerges against a backdrop of significant political unrest in Bangladesh. The killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, who led an uprising against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has triggered widespread protests and violence.
This turmoil has also seen violence against minority communities, leading to the deaths of Dipu Chandra Das and Amrit Mondal. New Delhi has formally expressed its concern over these killings of Hindus in the neighbouring nation while advocating for free and fair elections scheduled for next year.
In India, the murders sparked widespread protests, with various Hindutva organizations strongly condemning the deaths. Meanwhile, in Bangladesh, protests continue. As recently as Sunday, Inqilab Moncho leaders and supporters staged a blockade at Dhaka's Shahbagh intersection, part of a wider shutdown across divisional cities demanding justice for their slain leader.
The BSF's firm denial aims to clarify India's position and dispel any misinformation linking the internal unrest of Bangladesh to cross-border security lapses on the Indian side.
