Meghalaya Police, BSF Deny Bangladesh Claims: No Entry of Hadi Murder Suspects Across Sensitive Border
Meghalaya Police and the Border Security Force (BSF) refuted the Bangladesh Police's statement regarding the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, Inqilab Mancha group's spokesperson, on Sunday.
Aadrika Tayal 
New Delhi (India) December 28: Meghalaya Police and the Border Security Force (BSF) on Sunday denied outright a statement by Bangladesh Police about the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, a spokesperson of the Inqilab Mancha group. Two persons accused of the murder of Hadi had fled from Bangladesh into India and were arrested in the northeastern state, a report said.
Denial from Indian Security Forces
Security agencies in Meghalaya on Sunday refuted the allegations made by the Bangladesh Police that the killers of Inquilab Moncho leader Sharif Osman Hadi had entered the state. The claims are baseless and deceptive, BSF chief in Meghalaya, Inspector General O P Opadhyay said.
"There is no evidence to suggest that any individual crossed the international border from the Haluaghat sector into Meghalaya. The BSF has neither detected nor received any report of such an incident," Opadhyay said.
BSF's Vigilance on Indo-Bangla Border
BSF officials said that the personnel deployed along the international border have been very vigilant and on high alert at all times especially to prevent any untoward incident, in view of the unrest and situation of crisis in the neighbouring country.
The force also stated that the international border in the sector was being very closely watched at all times and any attempt at illegal cross border movement would be very quickly detected and dealt with.
A senior Meghalaya police official said, “This is a false narrative emerging from a section of the Bangladesh media. It is creating confusion among the public and attempting to disturb peace and tranquillity in Meghalaya, which shares a sensitive international border and routinely deals with trans-border crimes.”
Bangladesh Police's Counter-Claims
A top officer of Dhaka Metropolitan Police said earlier that two main suspects in the Osman Hadi murder case have entered Meghalaya via the Haluaghat border with the help of local people.
Additional Police Commissioner (Crime and Operations) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) S N Md Nazrul Islam said, “The suspects, Faisal Karim Masud and Alamgir Sheikh, crossed into Meghalaya with the help of local associates.”
According to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) officer, the Bangladesh government is putting considerable effort into bringing the fugitives back.
Investigation Progress in Hadi Murder
In the wake of the murder, a total of 11 people have been taken into custody, of which six have submitted their statements before the court under Section 164 of the CrPC.
Moreover, the police have found two handguns that are said to have been used in the killing. At present, the firearms are placed at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) awaiting a forensic examination.
The motorcycle involved in the attack has also been found by the Detective Branch (DB) police.
Background: Hadi's Role and Tragic Death
During the massive street protests in July, August 2024 that eventually caused the fall of the Sheikh Hasina led Awami League government, Hadi, Inquilab Moncho's spokesperson, was a significant youth leader.
On December 12, during an election campaign in Dhaka, Hadi, 32, was shot in the head. He was taken to Singapore for advanced treatment via air ambulance; however, he succumbed to his injuries on December 18.
