KOLKATA: BSF troops caught a fugitive Bangladeshi former police officer when he attempted to cross into India through Hakimpur in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district Saturday evening, officials said.Mohammad Arifuzzaman, 47, had been in hiding since the Awami League govt of then prime minister Sheikh Hasina was toppled by a student-led mass movement in Aug last year. According to sources, he had crossed into India shortly after the uprising and stayed with relatives in West Bengal’s Tentulia for several months before sneaking back into Bangladesh. He was caught while trying to enter India again.Arifuzzaman was handed over to police and later a local court remanded him in 14 days’ judicial custody. “Several documents found on him have been forwarded to senior administrative officials. Both Indian and Bangladeshi high commissions have been informed. The case is under joint scrutiny,” a senior police officer said on Sunday.Arifuzzaman had served with 2nd Battalion of Bangladesh Armed Police in Mymensingh, but stopped attending duty on Oct 14, 2024. Bangladesh home ministry suspended him this Aug.His detention added to concerns over cross-border movements by suspended or fugitive officials of Bangladesh. Officials linked to Hasina govt are under growing scrutiny in Bangladesh, wh-ere several face allegations of war crimes and rights violations during the uprising.
