Shillong, August 30: The East Jaintia Hills Police have begun the process of handing over the body of Ishaque Ali Khan Panna, a prominent functionary of Bangladesh’s ruling Awami League, to a representative authorised by the Bangladesh High Commission. This move follows the discovery of Panna’s body inside Indian territory, raising numerous questions about the circumstances of his death.
East Jaintia Hills Superintendent of Police, Giri Prasad M, confirmed that the district police are in the process of handover.
Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Home (Police), Prestone Tynsong, provided further details, stating, “The body can be handed over because the necessary samples have been collected. It is now the responsibility of the Directorate of Forensic Science to conduct the required tests.”
The post-mortem report revealed that Panna died due to asphyxia caused by throttling, raising significant concerns and questions regarding his death. Responding to inquiries, Tynsong said, “It is too early to draw conclusions. We need to take further steps, including a forensic test, to fully understand what transpired.”
Panna’s body was discovered in a semi-decomposed state in a betel nut plantation, approximately 1.3 km inside Indian territory in the Dona Bhoi area of East Jaintia Hills. His identity was confirmed via his Bangladeshi passport found near the body.
The Deputy Chief Minister highlighted the ongoing communication with both the Indian and Bangladeshi High Commissions, as well as the Home Ministry, to determine the next steps.
However, the discovery of Panna’s body within Indian territory has raised several questions, particularly regarding how he crossed the Indo-Bangladesh border amidst a night curfew.
Tynsong acknowledged the complexities, stating, “The BSF [Border Security Force] has informed us that there was no reported infiltration, but from Bangladesh side they claimed the leader of Awami League was trying to escape to India and ultimately after 2-3 days his dead body was found around 1.2 or 1.3 km inside the Indian territory.”
When asked about the ongoing night curfew along the international border, Tynsong confirmed that it remains in effect. “The curfew is still enforced, from evening until early morning, and both the police and BSF are instructed to ensure that no one crosses the border illegally, either entering or leaving.”
The investigation continues as authorities seek to clarify the circumstances of Panna’s death and how his body ended up inside Indian territory.