Anwarul Azim Anar
Credit: X/@munwarenj
Veteran Bangladeshi MP Anwarul Azim Anar, who went missing in India, was found murdered in Kolkata and three people have been arrested, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan announced on Wednesday.
The Business Standard reported the Kolkata police saying that the murder was premeditated. Anar's body was cut into pieces, some of which have been recovered from an apartment in Sanjeeva Garden, located in Kolkata's New Town.
“Awami League MP Anwarul Azim Anar, who went missing in India, was murdered at a Kolkata flat,” Khan told reporters. “So far, we have come to know that all the killers involved are Bangladeshis. It was a planned murder,” he said.
The minister said that Bangladesh Police have arrested three persons in connection with the murder of the 56-year-old lawmaker, The Daily Star reported.
Asked about the whereabouts of the body, he said that they were yet to know about it. “We will soon inform you about the motive," the minister said, adding that Indian police are cooperating with the case.
The three-time MP and president of Kaliganj upazila unit Awami League went to India on May 12 on a personal visit to receive treatment. A general diary report about his disappearance was filed at Baranagar Police Station in North Kolkata on May 18, the report said.
A senior official of the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata flagged that Anar had been missing since May 13.
“He came to Kolkata on May 12 for medical treatment and was staying at his friend’s place in Baranagar in the northern fringes of the city. On May 13, he went to meet someone but didn’t return. His friend later lodged a police complaint,” the official said.
The official added that though Anar had been missing for the last eight days, messages were sent from his phone to family members that he had left for New Delhi.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Azim, the portal said quoting the United News of Bangladesh news agency.
Azim was the AL lawmaker from the Jhenaidah-4 constituency.
“Jhenaidah is a bordering area known for its high crime rate. Azim was the local lawmaker there. The incident took place after went to India for treatment. According to what we currently know, he was killed there,” the home minister said.
(With PTI inputs)