Bangladesh suspends visa services in New Delhi, Shiliguri, Agartala
The development came following protests by Hindu nationalist groups, prompting temporary suspensions reportedly on security grounds.
Highlights
- Bangladesh halts visa services in New Delhi, Siliguri and Agartala amid security concerns
- High Commission in New Delhi suspends services following protest by Hindu group
- Siliguri visa centre shut down after vandalism and a large protest by Hindu groups
- Assistant High Commission in Agartala to stop services from 23 December until further notice
Visa and consular services for Bangladesh nationals and applicants in India's New Delhi, Shiliguri, and Agartala have been suspended.
The development came following protests by Hindu nationalist groups, prompting temporary suspensions reportedly on security grounds.
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The Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi temporarily suspended all consular services, including visa issuance today (22 December), citing "unavoidable circumstances." Officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the suspension will remain in effect until further notice.
A notice posted at the high commission stated that all consular services and visa issuance have been halted temporarily. The decision followed a protest on Saturday night by 20-25 members of 'Akhand Hindu Rashtra Sena' in front of the high commission premises.
The protesters reportedly chanted slogans against Bangladesh and threatened Bangladesh's High Commissioner to India, M Riaz Hamidullah, before leaving after about 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh's visa centre in Siliguri, West Bengal, was forced to shut down today after members of several Hindutva organisations vandalised the facility, reports Prothom Alo.
Members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Hindu Jagaran Manch and Siliguri Mahanagar Sangathan staged a protest, alleging persecution of the Hindu community in Bangladesh.
Diplomatic sources in Delhi and Kolkata told Prothom Alo that a private company, DU Digital, has been operating the Bangladesh visa centre in Siliguri for several years. Today, around 300 protesters gathered at Bagha Jatin Park in Siliguri before marching to and surrounding the visa office. During the demonstration, they demanded an end to alleged persecution of minority Hindus in Bangladesh and called for justice over the killing of Dipu Das in Mymensingh.
A five-member delegation of the protesters later entered the visa office and asked the authorities to keep it closed as a form of protest. One representative reportedly instructed a DU Digital official over the phone not to reopen the office and to remove Bangladesh-related visa banners and signage, warning that business operations would not be allowed to continue amid alleged abuses in Bangladesh.
Citing a diplomatic source in Kolkata, Prothom Alo reported that considering the security situation, DU Digital shut down the Siliguri visa centre before 3pm. A decision on reopening the centre will be taken after reviewing the situation.
Later in the day, Bangladesh's Assistant High Commission in Agartala, located in the northeastern Indian state of Tripura, decided to temporarily halt consular services and visa issuance from tomorrow (23 December) until further notice, an official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed.
Assam on high alert, says CM Himanta
The north eastern Indian state of Assam has been on "high alert" in the wake of the fresh wave of unrest in Bangladesh, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said today.
Sarma told reporters on the sidelines of a programme in Guwahati that the Assam government was closely monitoring the developments in Bangladesh.
He said, "We have to be vigilant and must keep a sharp eye on the developments in that country.''
Meanwhile, prohibitory orders are in force along the border with Bangladesh in Assam's Cachar district to prevent illegal movement and potential law and order threats, officials said.
Yesterday, the Indian visa application centre in Chattogram also halted its operations until further notice, citing security concerns at the Indian Assistant High Commission in the city.
Protest at Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi
Responding to questions from journalists yesterday, Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said the Bangladesh mission is located in a highly secure area within the diplomatic enclave of Delhi, making such an incident unexpected.
However, he added that following the protest, the High Commissioner's family has been feeling threatened and at risk, prompting heightened security measures.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs, in a statement yesterday, said "About 20-25 youths gathered in front of the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on 20 December and chanted slogans in protest against the killing of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh, while also calling for the protection of all minorities in Bangladesh."
The statement clarified that there was no attempt to breach the High Commission's security or create a dangerous situation. Delhi Police, stationed at the Bangladesh High Commission, quickly dispersed the group within a few minutes.
