Shillong: Senior officials from the Meghalaya Police and the Border Security Force (BSF) have dismissed reports circulating in Bangladeshi media that two suspects in the murder of Osman Hadi had fled into India and were present in Meghalaya. The allegations, which appeared in a prominent Bangladeshi daily citing Dhaka Metropolitan Police officials, were described by Indian authorities as “false and fabricated,” creating unnecessary confusion and tension along the sensitive India–Bangladesh border.

The individuals named in the reports, Faisal Karim Masud and Alamgir Sheikh, were alleged to have crossed over from Bangladesh’s Haluaghat border in Mymensingh district and entered Meghalaya with the help of local facilitators. The reports further claimed that a person named Purti received them upon entry, while a taxi driver named Sami transported them to Tura.

However, a senior official at the Meghalaya Police headquarters categorically rejected these claims, stating that “no formal or informal communication has been received from Bangladesh police” regarding the alleged crossing. He emphasized that neither of the accused had been traced in Meghalaya’s Garo Hills, and no arrests have been made. The official further clarified that the individuals Purti and Sami were also not identified, traced, or apprehended anywhere in the state.

“The narrative appears to have been constructed without verification or coordination with Indian authorities,” the Meghalaya Police spokesperson added, underlining that the claims lacked any intelligence input, ground verification, or operational evidence.

Supporting the police position, Inspector General OP Upadhayay of the BSF’s Meghalaya Frontier stated that “there is no evidence whatsoever of these individuals crossing the international border from the Haluaghat sector into Meghalaya. No such incident has been detected or reported by the BSF. These claims are baseless and misleading.” He noted that the BSF functions strictly on verified intelligence and established border management protocols.

Authorities pointed out that misinformation of this kind is not unprecedented. About two weeks ago, a similar report had claimed that the BSF had shot dead two Bangladeshi infiltrators—a claim that Indian authorities later categorically denied after verification.

Despite rejecting the allegations, Meghalaya Police have stated that border vigilance has been enhanced as a precautionary measure, including the activation of intelligence sources and close coordination with the BSF to prevent potential misuse of border routes by criminal elements. Officials stressed that these preventive measures should not be misconstrued as confirmation of the Bangladeshi reports.

Both Meghalaya Police and the BSF reiterated their commitment to cooperate with Bangladeshi authorities in the investigation of cross-border crimes, but emphasized that any action would only be taken based on verified information shared through official channels. Authorities warned that unverified narratives circulating in media cannot replace facts and can create unnecessary tensions in border regions.

This incident highlights the challenges of maintaining accurate information in a sensitive border area where misinformation can rapidly escalate tensions. The Meghalaya Police and BSF stressed that while preventive security measures are routinely implemented, public communication must be based on verified intelligence to avoid panic or misunderstandings.

Officials also noted that Meghalaya, a state with a porous international border and a history of cross-border crimes, routinely coordinates with the BSF and other security agencies to monitor movement and ensure that criminal elements cannot exploit the border. Enhanced vigilance and intelligence sharing remain crucial to maintaining peace and stability along the border, they added.

In conclusion, the Meghalaya Police and BSF firmly dismissed the claims that Faisal Karim Masud and Alamgir Sheikh had entered India, calling the reports “baseless and misleading.” While cross-border crime remains a concern, authorities emphasized that they act only on verified intelligence and continue to strengthen border security to prevent any potential infiltration.