Senior security officials in Meghalaya on Sunday, December 28, 2025, categorically rejected claims emerging from Bangladesh that the primary suspects in the murder of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi have sought refuge in the Indian state. The Meghalaya Police and the Border Security Force (BSF) labeled the reports as “baseless narratives” designed to create confusion and disturb regional peace.
Denial of “Haluaghat Crossing”
The controversy stems from a report by a prominent Bangladeshi daily, quoting Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) officials, which alleged that Faisal Karim Masud and Alamgir Sheikh entered India via the Haluaghat border in Mymensingh.
- The Police Rebuttal: A top official at the Meghalaya Police headquarters stated, “No formal or informal communication has been received from Bangladesh. None of the named accused have been traced in Garo Hills, and no arrests have been made.”
- The “Facilitators” Claim: Bangladeshi media alleged that two local associates—Purti and Sami (a taxi driver)—had been detained by Indian authorities for helping the suspects reach Tura. Meghalaya Police dismissed this, clarifying that no individuals by those names have been identified or detained.
- BSF’s Stand: BSF (Meghalaya Frontier) Inspector General OP Upadhayay asserted, “There is no evidence whatsoever of these individuals crossing into Meghalaya. No such incident has been detected by our patrols.”
Pattern of Misinformation
Security agencies noted that this is the second major instance of “fabricated reporting” in the last two weeks.
- The Shooting Claim: Earlier in December, reports alleged the BSF had shot two Bangladeshi infiltrators, which was later proven false.
- Anti-India Sentiment: Officials believe these narratives are being fueled by radical elements within Bangladesh, such as the Inqilab Mancha, to justify anti-India protests and diplomatic pressure.
Border Security: High Alert
While rejecting the presence of the killers, the Meghalaya government has directed a significant scale-up of security along the 443 km international border.
| Security Measure | Current Status |
| Troop Deployment | High Alert across East Khasi and Garo Hills sectors. |
| Intelligence | Coordination active between BSF and local “Naka” checkpoints. |
| Border Fencing | Efforts to fill remaining 49 km gaps prioritized for 2026 completion. |
| Surveillance | Induction of “Advanced Security Surveillance” equipment underway. |
Extradition Protocol
Indian officials reiterated that while they remain open to cooperation with the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, action will only be taken on verified information shared through formal diplomatic channels. “Narratives cannot substitute facts,” a police spokesperson underscored.