Online Indian visa applications resume in Khulna
Online visa applications were suspended from Wednesday afternoon
Online Indian visa application services resumed in Khulna this morning (21 December) after remaining suspended since Wednesday afternoon (17 December).
However, due to security concerns, physical entry to the Indian Deputy High Commission office in Khulna has been closed and all visa-related activities are being conducted online. A strict security cordon has been put in place around the mission.
While visiting the Indian Deputy High Commission office on Samsur Rahman Road this morning, this correspondent found that barricade was put on nearly half a kilometre of road -- from Ahsan Ahmed Road intersection to Baiti Para crossing. Members of the Army, joint forces and police have been deployed to ensure security.
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The administration has closed four roads surrounding the Deputy High Commission office, resulting in a complete suspension of vehicular movement on Samsur Rahman Road.
Vehicles are being diverted through alternative routes, causing inconvenience to local residents. Pedestrians are also being allowed to enter the area only after security checks. Overall, the area has been placed under a tight security blanket.
Owners of several visa brokerage firms on Sir Iqbal Road said that following the attack on Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi and subsequent unwanted incidents in Dhaka on Wednesday, online visa applications were suspended from Wednesday afternoon.
Although the online system initially remained active in Khulna, applications were fully halted from 12pm on Thursday after a "March to Indian Consulate Office" programme was announced.
Sadhan Sarkar, proprietor of a visa brokerage firm, said that appointments for applications submitted between Thursday morning and noon were being issued from Sunday morning.
Fresh online applications are also being accepted again from today, he added.
This morning, four roads adjacent to the Deputy High Commission remained closed. Vehicles were seen using alternative routes near the Press Club, leading to heavy traffic congestion in that area.
Law enforcement personnel were also seen standing guard on both sides of the main road in front of the Indian mission.
Contacted, Deputy Commissioner of Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP) Md Tajul Islam said extensive security measures have been taken around the Indian Deputy High Commission.
He added that patrols across the city have been intensified to maintain law and order and that police are fully prepared to prevent any untoward incident.
