Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan made the sensational disclosure Wednesday (May 22, 2024) that Anwarul Azim Anar, MP for Jhenidah-4, had been murdered in West Bengal, while on a medical trip to India. He said the slain MP’s remains had been found in a flat in New Town, Kolkata. “Awami League MP Anwarul Azim Anar, who went missing in India, was murdered at a Calcutta flat,” Khan told journalists. “So far, we have come to know that all the killers involved are Bangladeshis. It was a planned murder.” Police in Kolkata however have said no body has been found, and they are continuing their search in this regard. All that has been found are blood stains in a flat in suburban New Town where Azim was seen entering with three others on May 13. What is known so far is that Azim went to Kolkata. He entered India through the Darshana border (connecting Bangladesh’s Khulna with Nadia) on May 12 for a medical consultation, and started staying with a friend, Gopal Biswas, a gold trader, in the Baranagar area. Bangladeshi criminals killed MP Anwarul Azim: DB Chief Around 1.40pm on May 13, he left Biswas’s house to meet a neurologist at a Kolkata hospital in a cab. According to The Telegraph, an influential Kolkata daily, the taxi driver who drove Azim around has told the police they had picked up another Bangladeshi national from the New Market area and from there proceeded to the flat in New Town. The medical appointment, had there been one in the first place, was not kept. CCTV footage has revealed that apart from Azim, two men and a woman had entered the flat at Sanjeeva Gardens, an upmarket development in Rajarhat. Over the next four days, CCTV footage shows the other three leaving the building at different times, but there is no further sighting of the MP. What West Bengal Police are saying Stating that the police had “reliable inputs” that Anwar “may have been murdered”, Akhilesh Chaturvedi, IG, CID, West Bengal Police, said that they were yet to recover the victim’s body, as of Wednesday evening. “We had no prior intimation of the Bangladeshi MP’s arrival to this city. We came to know about him after his acquaintance in Kolkata, Gopal Biswas, filed a missing diary on May 18. A Special Investigation Team was formed by the Barrackpore Police Commissionerate to trace the missing politician. “We were in the middle of that investigation when, on May 20, we received an intimation from the Ministry of External Affairs and today an input that makes us suspect that the victim may have been murdered,” Chaturvedi said. The IG confirmed that the apartment was owned by Sanjib Ghosh, an employee of the state excise department, who, in turn, had rented it out to one Akhtaruzzaman, a US national. Missing Jhenaidah -4 MP found dead in Kolkata; PM Hasina mourns death Additionally, police sources told the Deccan Herald, another influential Indian daily, that Anar was accompanied by two men and a woman when he checked into the New Town apartment. CCTV footage showed that the unidentified men and woman left the residential complex in phases between May 15 and May 17, and at least two of the three later returned to Bangladesh. Arrests in Bangladesh The killers of Anwarul Azim Anar were Bangladeshis, according to the Chief of the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Mohammad Harun-or-Rashid, backing up an earlier assertion by the home minister. "An investigation is underway to ascertain the reason behind the murder. A few persons were arrested and others who were involved in the murder will be brought to justice. But the names can't be disclosed now for the sake of the investigation," the DB chief said while talking to reporters at his office today (22 May). The home minister had also revealed the number of persons arrested was three. The arrests were reportedly made from Wari in the capital. There is no confirmation on whether any of them were part of the trio that accompanied the MP to New Town, and later slipped back inside Bangladesh. Meanwhile an abduction case was filed against unnamed persons at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station, based on the complaint of Mumtarin Ferdous Dorin, daughter of MP Anar. The Indian authorities have not yet acknowledged the murder, complicating any intention to file a murder case. ‘Going to meet Amit Shah’ In the case statement, Dorin states: "On May 13, we received a message from my father's Indian SIM number. It said, 'I am going to Delhi suddenly, I have VIPs with me. I am going to meet Amit Shah. No need to call me. I will call you later.' Apart from this, several other messages also came.” The messages bear an eerie resemblance to messages received by Gopal Biswas around the same time, as revealed in the missing person complaint he filed with the local police on May 18. In his complaint, Biswas stated that Anar left his Baranagar residence to keep a doctor’s appointment in the afternoon of May 13, stating that he would be back home for dinner. BUt then later that day, Biswas alleged, he received a WhatsApp communication from the MP’s phone stating he would be moving to Delhi on some urgent work and that his host “need not call him”. Then on the morning of May 15, Biswas stated he received further communication from the victim confirming he reached Delhi and was “flanked by VIPs”. In her case statement, Dorin said she suspects that the abductors took hold of her father's phone and sent these messages from May 13th. Biswas may now contend the same. And some communication, or attempted communication, that apparently took place on May 16th with the MP’s aide in Bangladesh, was also probably the same. The truth, for now at least, still evades the people of Bengal on both sides of the international border. Abduction case filed over MP Anar's death

Bangladesh's Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan today (June 7, 2023) addressed the issue of granting permission for Jamaat-e-Islami’s protest rally, saying that those involved in politics have the right to hold meetings and rallies. “It is normal that they will express their opinions,” he said while speaking to reporters at the Fire Service and Civil Defence headquarters. Also Read: 10 Jamaat-Shibir men detained from Banani: Police However, he pointed out that Jamaat is currently not recognized as a political party by the Election Commission. “Therefore, the DMP commissioner will make the final call on whether to permit the rally or not. The possibility of vandalism or disorder will be considered before making the final decision,” he said.  Also Read: Jamaat-e-Islami can get registered if conditions are met, says commissioner Alamgir Regarding the discussions of foreign diplomats with various political parties, the home minister said that it is a matter concerning the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “The ministry is closely monitoring the situation and expects ambassadors to adhere to diplomatic protocols and fulfill their assigned duties appropriately,” said the home minister. Also read: Rights activists slam US report’s claims about Jamaat 

The truth about why and how drug smugglers fired shots at a Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) officer at the Tombru border in Bandarban will be identified and shared, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said today (November 15, 2022). He was responding to journalists’ questions after attending the Fire Service and Civil Defence Week 2022 programme in Dhaka. He said the law enforcing team was conducting a drive against drug traders – following information from a detective agency – at the no-man’s-land area on Bangladesh-Myanmar border where thousands of Rohingyas live. Read: DGFI officer shot dead during anti-drugs drive at Tombru border: ISPR On Monday night, an officer of DGFI was shot dead and a Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) personnel was wounded while conducting a drive against drug smugglers at Tombru border, ISPR said in a press release earlier today. ISPR, however, did not reveal the names of the DGFI and Rab personnel yet. Meanwhile, Sub-inspector Ripon Chowdhury, appointed at Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital, told the UNB correspondent that a Rab member was brought to the hospital around 10 pm with critical injury after being shot at the border during a drive. Read: No concrete evidence yet on Buet student Fardin’s murder: Home Minister Assistant Sub-inspector of Naikhongchhari police station Joydeb said they were informed about firing at Konarpara area near the border but don’t have information about who was involved. Some locals claimed Myanmar insurgent group Al Yaqin members shot at a team of Rab-15 members at zero point of the border around 7 pm last night (November 14, 2022) while they were conducting a drive.

European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson is scheduled to arrive here on Thursday morning on a two-day official visit to discuss the issues of mutual interest with special focus on security matters. Johansson, also a former Minister for Employment and Integration of Sweden, will meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during the visit, a senior official told UNB. She will also meet Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Imran Ahmad. Read more:White House invites dozens of nations for ransomware summit The European Commissioner will also visit a project at Savar apart from her other engagements. Developing a new EU internal security strategy, stepping up cooperation on law enforcement, developing a new pact on migration and asylum, strengthening external borders, reforming asylum, readmission and return rules, promoting integration and ensuring real legal pathways to the EU, by resettling those in need of international protection and offering job opportunities to skilled workers and stepping up the fight against human traffickers and smugglers, breaking their business models are among the list of her responsibilities as a Commissioner. Read more: EU leaders avoid deep rift on gas price cap at energy summit The European Commissioner will leave Dhaka on Friday evening.

Installation of CCTV cameras have been made compulsory at all puja mandaps ahead of Durga Puja to ensure security, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said. Durga puja will be celebrated across the country from October 1 to October 5 and this year there will be 32,168 Puja mandaps across the country, he said while talking to reporters after a meeting held at the Secretariat over law and order situation for ensuring smooth celebration of Durga Puja. Talking over the security arrangement, Asaduzzaman, said, “We have taken decisions to ensure security at the puja mandap and additional forces of law enforcement agencies will be deployed as per necessary.” Also read: Shahjahanpur murders: Perpetrators not to be spared Besides, Durga Puja organisers have been told to deploy volunteers to ensure security. The authorities concerned have been asked to provide wristbands to volunteers with which police can identify them. Ansar members will be deployed and arrangements will be taken for them. Replying to a question about untoward incidents that happened in Cumilla last year, during Durga Puja, the minister said, “If we think that there is a need to take special security measures then we’ll definitely go for it. Security personnel will patrol the big mandaps.” Read The struggle for Bangladesh's secular soul Besides, the patrolling team will also take steps to prevent stalking, drug use and any untoward incident at the mandaps, he said. People have been asked to make emergency phone calls to 999 to avail any kind of services from the law enforcement agencies, he added. Referring to the traffic congestion, Asaduzzaman, said steps will be taken to ensure smooth traffic management and a team will keep monitoring social media and rumours, and take action. Read No doubt govt behind communal violence: Fakhrul He also urged the authorities concerned to arrange two gates for female and male visitors.

The number of yaba pills ( a contraband drug) smuggled into Bangladesh from neighbouring Myanmar has surged by two and a half times under the current military regime compared to the amount reported during the rule of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi. This information was obtained from the meeting minutes of the parliamentary standing committee on the ministry of home affairs held on Thursday. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan told the meeting that despite negotiations on the issue the Myanmar military regime is patronizing the smuggling of yaba pills to Bangladesh. That’s why the smuggling of the illegal drug has increased. Also read: PM Hasina urges Myanmar to ensure dignified return of Rohingyas to their homeland He mentioned that apart from the most-used route of bordering Naf River the contrabands enter Bangladesh through the remote land border areas too. The home minister said that Bandarban and Khagrachari, used as yaba routes, have many inaccessible areas where round-the-clock surveillance is not possible.   It takes two days to go from one BOP to another BOP there, he added. He also said that the number of BOP is being increased in all those areas. Chairman of the committee Shamsul Haque Tuku said, yaba started arriving in Bangladesh through the Rohingyas coming from Myanmar. “Then it gradually spread throughout the country,” he said. He expressed his frustration saying that despite declaring a war against drugs, it is not possible to prevent drug trade and consumption. According to the minutes of the meeting, issues relating to committees of mosques, temples and graveyards were discussed in the previous meeting of the parliamentary watchdog. In that meeting, Tuku said the truly religious and good people are staying away from the mosque, temple and cemetery committees. Also read: UK announces new sanctions, legal action in support of Myanmar’s Rohingya community Those involved in drug or anti-social activities are coming to these positions through political influence. As a result, honest people are not able to contribute to the society, he told the meeting. He said, if the committees of all the mosques, temples and cemeteries of the country are formed under the Islamic Foundation, it will bring positive results. The meeting decided to invite the director general of the Islamic Foundation to a meeting of the standing committee to discuss the subject. The meeting also discussed the issue of TikTok extensively. Chairman Tuku said that TikTok is under fire for its negative use that leads to violence, rumours and misinformation. He recommended closing the social media app. According to the director general of the National Telecommunication Monitoring Center (NTMC) said that young people in Bangladesh spend 80 per cent of their Internet time on TikTok. “This platform is used to spread vindictive misinformation and hate speech. It has more negative uses than positive ones,” he said at a separate event. He also said that a letter has already been sent to BTRC to stop TikTok app with all kinds of data. Meanwhile, the press release of the Parliament Secretariat informed that citizens have been advised to keep vigil against any attempt to disturb communal harmony in the country. The parliamentary body also recommended posting of husband and wife in same area, if they are working in government service. Chairman of the committee Shamsul Haque Tuku chaired the meeting. Committee members Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Md Habibur Rahman, Samshul Alam Dudu, Kujendra Lal Tripura, Noor Mohammad, Sultan Mohammad Mansoor Ahmad and Rumana Ali were present at the meeting.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Tuesday said discussion is underway regarding Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed’s planned visit to the United States, noting an “understanding” between the United Nations and the US. “There’s an understanding between the UN and the US. It’s (visit) under discussion following that particular process,” he told reporters, mentioning that a decision will be reached once the process is done.  Benazir is scheduled to attend the third United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit (UNCOPS 2022) which will bring together Ministers, Chiefs of Police and senior representatives of regional and professional policing organizations to United Nations Headquarters from August 31 to September 1. Earlier, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas held a meeting with the home minister at the Secretariat. The home minister explained the steps taken by the government to ensure that there is no violation of laws by the law enforcement agencies.       “We informed them that punitive action was taken against some Rab officials after getting allegations,” he said referring to the steps taken following Narayanganj seven-murder case.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Sunday said the government has not yet received any official information about the arrest of PK Haldar, a fugitive Bangladeshi businessperson in West Bengal. “We came to know that PK Halder was arrested and he is a wanted accused of Bangladesh. But we have not yet received any formal information about his arrest,” he said while speaking at a seminar at the Jatiya Press Club. Also read:Fugitive businessman PK Halder held in India “We will take next steps as per law,” he said. On Saturday, India's federal economic offences police arrested PK Halder and his two associates in the eastern state of West Bengal. Halder, the former MD of NRB Global Bank, had been on the run since being charged by the Anti-Corruption Commission in Bangladesh for money laundering and amassing ill-gotten wealth.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal has said those involved in Thursday's double murder in the capital's Shajahanpur area will be brought to justice and no offender will be spared. "Criminals will be brought to justice, no matter who they are,” he said while talking to reporters at his Dhanmondi residence on Friday evening. Detective Branch (DB) and Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) are working to find out the culprits, he added. Read: Case filed over Shahjahanpur double murder Law enforcers will soon be able to unearth the reason behind the incident, the minister hopes. Earlier, Zahidul Islam Tipu, former general secretary of AL Motijheel police station committee, and Samia Afrin Priti, a 22-year-old student of Begum Badrunnesa Government College, were killed while his driver was injured when an assailant allegedly opened fire at them in the capital's Shahjahanpur area on Thursday night.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Thursday warned against creating any violence during the hartal called for March 28 against price hike of essentials. Kamal was responding to a reporter's question after inaugurating Police Liberation War Museum set up by Chattogram Metropolitan Police at Dampara.