SHILLONG, AUG 31: The Border Security Force (BSF), in collaboration with the East Jaintia Hills Police, on Saturday handed over the body of Ishaque Ali Khan Panna, a prominent figure in Bangladesh’s ruling Awami League, to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) at the Dawki-Tamabil International Border Check Post in Meghalaya. The handover, which took place amid tight security, was attended by immigration police and Panna’s nephew, Kamruzzaman Khan Nabil, who represented the family.
“Indian and Bangladeshi authorities worked overnight to complete the modalities of handing over the body,” according to government sources.
The body was then taken to Bangladesh following the formalities.
Panna’s body was discovered on August 26 in a semi-decomposed state within a betel nut plantation, approximately 1.3 km inside Indian territory in the Dona Bhoi area of East Jaintia Hills, close to the Bangladesh border. His identity was confirmed through a Bangladeshi passport found near the body. An autopsy revealed that he died from asphyxia due to throttling, prompting significant concerns and leading to a deeper investigation.
The discovery of Panna’s body within Indian territory, despite the strict night curfew along the Indo-Bangladesh border, has raised numerous questions. Authorities are probing whether Panna crossed the border before his death or if his body was moved post-mortem. The case has sparked considerable interest and concern on both sides of the border.