Bangladesh police officer Md. Arifuzzaman, accused in the murder case of student leader Abu Sayeed, has been arrested in India. He was caught by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) while illegally crossing the border. Arifuzzaman, who was close to Sheikh Hasina’s government, had been on the run since last year’s student uprising. He is now in Indian judicial custody for 14 days.
Police Officer Accused in Abu Sayeed Murder Arrested in India
Md. Arifuzzaman, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) from Bangladesh, was arrested by India’s Border Security Force (BSF). He is one of the accused in the murder case of Abu Sayeed, a student activist who was shot dead during the quota reform movement.
Arrest at Indian Border
On Saturday evening, Arifuzzaman tried to cross the border illegally through an unprotected area in Swarupnagar, North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. BSF’s 143 Battalion caught him near the Hakimpur border outpost.
After interrogation, he was handed over to the local police at Swarupnagar Police Station the same night. Indian police also recovered several identity cards and government documents from his possession.
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Legal Case in India
Cases have been filed against Arifuzzaman under Section 14(A) of the Foreigners Act and Section 12 of the Indian Passport Act. On Sunday, he was produced before Basirhat Sub-Divisional Court under tight security. The judge ordered 14 days of judicial custody.
Who Is Arifuzzaman?
Arifuzzaman is originally from Shahipara in Nilphamari district, Bangladesh. He was working as ASP at APBn-2 in Mymensingh’s Muktagacha upazila.
On 14 October 2024, he stopped attending his duty without permission. As a result, he was suspended and has been on the run since then. Reports say he was hiding in the Satkhira area before attempting to flee to India.
Link to Abu Sayeed Murder
The arrest is directly linked to the murder case of Abu Sayeed, an active student leader of the quota reform movement. On 16 July 2024, a clash broke out between students and police near Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur.
Police used tear gas and batons to disperse the protesters. While most students left, Abu Sayeed stood his ground holding a stick. From around 50 feet away, police fired pellets at him. Several bullets hit him, and he collapsed. Students tried to take him to the hospital, but he died on the way.
At that time, Arifuzzaman was serving as Assistant Commissioner of Rangpur Metropolitan Police and was directly involved in the incident.
Close to Former Government
Reports say Arifuzzaman was very close to Sheikh Hasina’s government. After her fall from power on 5 August 2024 during the mass student uprising, he went into hiding. Since then, he had been absconding until his arrest in India.
Source: Samakal
