Govt awaits India's nod for consular access to Hadi murder suspects

The government is awaiting consent from Indian authorities to establish contact through the Bangladesh mission with three individuals arrested in Kolkata in connection with the killing of Inquilab Manch convener Sharif Osman Hadi.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam shared this information in response to questions from journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday afternoon, March 16.

She said, "We are in communication with Kolkata. We are in communication with India. Our government is making every effort to obtain consular access to those who have been arrested and to bring them back. The Home Ministry is involved in this process and is working on it. The first two were arrested earlier, and we requested consular access for them. Now, for the third person who has been arrested, we have also requested consular access."

The state minister added, "Once we get access and further investigation is conducted, we will be able to say more. But every effort is being made from our side. We hope India will fully cooperate."

Kolkata Police's STF had informed on March 7 about the arrest of Hadi murder prime suspect Faisal Karim Masud and his associate Alamgir Hossain from Bangaon in North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal. The following day, they were placed on a 14-day remand by court order.

On the same day the arrests were reported, the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Kolkata announced that consular access had been requested from India regarding them.

A week later, on March 14, Kolkata Police informed that Philip Sangma had also been arrested for allegedly helping Faisal and Alamgir cross the border. Subsequently, the Bangladesh mission in Kolkata requested consular access for him as well.

When asked whether the government had received consular access, the state minister said the matter is in process.

Regarding Bangladeshi expatriates in the Middle East, the state minister said arrangements are being made for those wishing to return. "For our Bangladeshi brothers in various Middle Eastern countries who are able to come or want to come, we are ensuring through our ministry and missions that they can arrange safe flights or chartered flights."

For those unable to return, she emphasised ensuring their safety, saying, "Those who are employed cannot all return; we are also ensuring that they remain safe there."

When asked about discussions with Russian Ambassador Alexander Khozin on Sunday regarding oil imports amidst energy market volatility, the state minister said, "Given the current situation in the Middle East, we have learned from the Energy Ministry that there is no fuel crisis at the moment."