Bangladesh MP Anwarul Azim 'Murdered' In Kolkata; 3 Detained
Awami League MP Anwarul Azim Anar had been missing since May 14, two days after arriving in Kolkata reportedly for medical treatment.
Kolkata: Bangladesh MP Anwarul Azim Anar, who came to Kolkata on May 12 for medical treatment and had been "missing" since May 14, has allegedly been murdered. Three persons have been detained in Bangladesh in connection with the case, sources in the Bangladesh police said, adding that the arrested individuals have "confessed" to the murder. MP's body, however, is yet to be found. The investigation is being conducted jointly by the police forces of Bangladesh and India, it is learnt.
The Bangladesh police sources also told ABP Ananda that blood stains were found in the New Town flat in the Sanjeeva Gardens apartment where the MP was last seen.
The circumstances around Anwarul Azim Anar's disappearance and the alleged murder are still shrouded in mystery.
Quoting Bangladesh Home Ministry sources, ABP Ananda reported that his body might have been dismembered and disposed off.
According to the report, the Kolkata Police had been searching for him ever since the Bangladesh MP's mysterious disappearance was reported. The police in New Town had already recovered the car used by him. Based on the statements given by the three persons detained in Bangladesh, the Bidhannagar Commissionerate police in Kolkata searched an apartment in New Town on Wednesday.
According to police sources, the footage from the apartment's CCTV cameras showed the three individuals, who had come with the MP, leaving the flat, but Anwarul Azim was not seen exiting. The police found stains of dried blood on the floor and the basin of the apartment. This led them to suspect that the MP had been killed and his body hidden somewhere. The police believe the body or body parts are hidden somewhere within the apartment complex.
Statement By Bangladesh Home Minister
At a press conference in Dhaka, Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said the body of MP Anwar has not yet been found but it was "confirmed" that he was murdered.
He added that all details could not be disclosed at this time, and that the investigation is proceeding based on available information.
The Home Minister said he hopes that the motive behind the murder would be known soon. He also said the Indian police were providing full cooperation. According to the minister, the Bangladesh police are working with the Indian police in this case of the MP's murder according to international protocols.
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Who Was Anwarul Azim Anar?
Anwarul Azim Anar was a three-time MP and a member of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League. Bangladesh Home Minister Khan said he was an MP from the border area of Jhenaidah, which is known to be a terrorism-affected region. He was recently re-elected from Jhenaidah-4 constituency.
The lawmaker came to India via the Darshana-Gede border, according to reports.
Anwarul Azim Anar was also the president of Kaliganj upazila Awami League.
Speaking to the media, the Bangladeshi Police had earlier said they were coordinating with Kolkata Police to trace the MP.
নিখোঁজ এমপি আনারের মৃতদেহ উদ্ধারের খবরে আইজিপি যা জানালেন...#ajkerpatrika #mpanar #AnwarulAzim #latestnews #latestbanglanews #jhenaidahnews #todaynews #breakingnews pic.twitter.com/mtb7mqAj6u
— Ajker Patrika (@ajkerpatrikabd) May 22, 2024
MP Was In Touch With His Family Till May 13: Bangladesh Media
Bangladeshi news website Dhaka Tribune reported in the morning that Anwarul Azim Anar had been found dead.
Another local media website, The Daily Star, had earlier quoted Minister Khan as saying: "We are hopeful of solving the mystery within a day or two."
According to Dhaka Tribune, thousands of his supporters gathered in front of his home in Bangladesh, demanding a proper investigation into his death.
নিখোঁজ এমপি আনারের লাশ মিলল কলকাতার ফ্ল্যাটে ঝিনাইদহে শোকের ছায়া...#ajkerpatrika #mpAnar #AnwarulAzim #latestnews #latestbanglanews #short #shorts #shortsvideo pic.twitter.com/EYCJBtyYqq
— Ajker Patrika (@ajkerpatrikabd) May 22, 2024
The report further stated that MP Anwarul was scheduled to meet a doctor in Kolkata around noon on May 13 and return in the evening to his friend Gopal Biswas's house in Baranagar in the North 24 Parganas district. However, he reportedly sent a WhatsApp text to Biswas later, informing him that he was going to Delhi and would call if necessary.
There had been no contact from him since then, prompting Biswas to lodge a complaint with the Baranagar Police on May 18. Anwarul Azim Anar's brother Enamul Haque Iman, too, lodged a missing person's report. Abdur Rauf, Anwarul Azim Anar's personal assistant, was quoted as saying that the Bangladeshi MP was in touch with his family till May 13.