Bangladeshi police officials have claimed that two suspects in the high-profile murder of youth leader Osman Hadi escaped to India's northeastern state of Meghalaya. However, Indian security forces have firmly rejected these allegations, calling them unverified and baseless.
Dhaka Police's Escape Narrative
Additional Police Commissioner (Crime and Operations) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), S N Md Nazrul Islam, stated that the suspects, identified as Faisal Karim Masud and Alamgir Sheikh, crossed into India from the Haluaghat border in Bangladesh's Mymensingh district. According to a report in The Daily Star, Islam claimed the men were initially met by an individual named Purti and later transported to Tura town in Meghalaya by a taxi driver called Sami.
The DMP official did not specify the exact timing of the alleged border crossing. The claims align with assertions from Hadi's supporters, who allege the primary suspect, linked to the Awami League party of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, fled to India.
Indian Authorities Refute Claims
Indian security agencies have strongly denied the Bangladeshi police's version of events. A senior Meghalaya police official confirmed that no formal or informal communication had been received from Bangladeshi counterparts regarding the suspects. Investigations in the Garo Hills region found no trace of the accused individuals.
Meghalaya police further stated that neither Purti nor Sami, the individuals named in the escape narrative, could be identified anywhere in the state. They described the account as lacking coordination with Indian authorities.
BSF (Meghalaya Frontier) Inspector General OP Upadhayay explicitly rejected the claims. He asserted there was no evidence of anyone crossing the border from the Haluaghat sector, labelling the allegations as misleading and without foundation.
Who Was Osman Hadi?
The case revolves around the murder of Osman Hadi, a 32-year-old political activist. Born in 1994 in Jhalokhati district, Hadi rose to prominence as a senior leader of the 'Inqilab Moncho' protest platform during last year's student-led uprising in Bangladesh, which led to the ouster of former PM Sheikh Hasina.
Described as a vocal critic of India and a key figure in the July protests, Hadi had recently announced his intention to contest the Dhaka-8 constituency as an independent candidate in the upcoming elections. He succumbed to head injuries on December 18 after being shot during an election campaign in Dhaka.
Broader Bilateral Tensions
This incident occurs amidst heightened diplomatic friction between India and Bangladesh. Both nations have halted visa services in several cities, including Delhi, and traded accusations over lapses in diplomatic mission security. High commissioners have been summoned to convey security concerns formally.
Former Indian High Commissioner to Dhaka, Riva Ganguly Das, expressed concern to the BBC, hoping tensions would not escalate further. She noted the unstable situation in Bangladesh makes future developments hard to predict. With national elections scheduled for February 12, there is a consensus that an elected administration would be better positioned to handle Bangladesh's complex internal and external challenges.
