Indian security forces have firmly rejected allegations from Bangladesh that two primary suspects in the murder of a prominent Bangladeshi political leader fled across the border into Meghalaya. The Border Security Force (BSF) and Meghalaya Police stated there is no evidence to support the claims made by Dhaka authorities.
Indian Authorities Dismiss Allegations as Baseless
Meghalaya Police and the BSF have categorically denied receiving any formal or informal communication from their Bangladeshi counterparts regarding the suspects. A senior police official, quoted by Hindustan Times, clarified that none of the accused named in the Bangladeshi report have been traced in the Garo Hills region, and no arrests have been made in connection with the case.
A Police Headquarters (PHQ) official further elaborated that individuals named by Bangladesh, identified as Purti and Sami, have not been located or arrested anywhere in Meghalaya. The official suggested the Bangladeshi account seemed to have been assembled without proper verification or coordination with Indian authorities.
BSF's Strong Rebuttal on Border Breach Claims
BSF (Meghalaya Frontier) Inspector General OP Upadhayay was unequivocal in his dismissal. "There is no evidence whatsoever of these individuals crossing the international border from the Haluaghat sector into Meghalaya," he stated. He emphasized that no such incident has been detected or reported by the BSF, which vigilantly guards the frontier.
Upadhayay labeled the claims from across the border as "baseless and misleading." He reaffirmed that the Border Security Force operates strictly on the basis of verified intelligence and established border management protocols, implying a failure in due process from the Bangladeshi side.
Dhaka Police's Version of Events
The controversy stems from a press conference held by Additional Police Commissioner (Crime and Operations) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), S N Md Nazrul Islam. According to The Daily Star, Islam claimed that the suspects, Faisal Karim Masud and Alamgir Sheikh, crossed into the Indian state of Meghalaya with help from local associates.
He alleged the duo entered India through the Haluaghat border in Mymensingh district, where they were first met by a person named Purti. Subsequently, they were reportedly taken to Tura town in Meghalaya by a taxi driver identified as Sami. The DMP official did not specify the exact date of the alleged border crossing.
Background: The Murder of Osman Hadi
The incident revolves around the killing of Osman Hadi, a senior leader of the protest platform Inqilab Moncho. Hadi was shot in the head during an election campaign in Dhaka and succumbed to his injuries on December 18, 2024.
Born in 1994, Hadi rose to prominence as a vocal youth leader during the mass street protests of July-August 2024, which led to the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government. He was also contesting as an independent parliamentary candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency in elections scheduled for February 12.
Following his death, unrest spread across several parts of Bangladesh. Inqilab Moncho urged the public to avoid violence, even as incidents of arson were reported, including attacks on the offices of media organisations The Daily Star and Prothom Alo. The group's statement hinted at political motives behind the instability, urging people to consider who benefits as elections approach.
The conflicting narratives from Dhaka and Meghalaya highlight the sensitive nature of cross-border security coordination. While Bangladeshi authorities point fingers at a breach into India, Indian officials maintain their vigilance was uncompromised and the claims are unsubstantiated.
