Bangladesh violence alert: Indian visa services suspended indefinitely in Chittagong, security concerns rise after protests

Dhaka/New Delhi. India has temporarily suspended visa services at its visa application center in Chittagong, Bangladesh’s second-largest city. This decision has been taken after protests related to the death of a prominent youth leader and increasing diplomatic tension between the two countries. Indian officials said the visa center would be closed until further notice after protesters arrived near the Indian Assistant High Commission complex in Chittagong.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described the suspension as a “precautionary measure”, which will remain in effect until the local law and order situation returns to normal. The unrest was sparked by the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a key leader of student-led protests against the Awami League government last year.

Hadi was shot by unidentified people and later died while undergoing treatment in Singapore on 12 December. Force was used to disperse protesters outside the Indian Mission in Chittagong’s Khulshi area overnight, injuring at least four people, including a police officer. After this, security has been increased around the mission and the Indian High Commission in Dhaka. Violence spread in Dhaka and other cities after news of Hadi’s death spread. The protesters set fire to two major media outlets ‘The Daily Star’ and ‘Pratham Alo’ and attacked the residence of Bangladesh’s founding president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Dhanmondi 32.

The Ministry of External Affairs rejected “misleading propaganda” about an incident that took place on Friday outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, where protesters were protesting against the mob lynching of Hindu man Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh. Responding to media queries, official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We have taken note of the misleading propaganda on this incident in some sections of the Bangladesh media. The fact is that on December 20, around 20-25 youth gathered in front of the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and raised slogans against the gruesome killing of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh, as well as demanding protection of all minorities in Bangladesh.”

“At no time was any attempt made to breach the fence or create a security situation. Police deployed on the spot dispersed the group within a few minutes. Visual evidence of these incidents is publicly available. India is committed to ensuring the security of foreign missions/posts on its territory in accordance with the Vienna Convention,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in the statement. He said that India is keeping a close eye on the situation in Bangladesh. Our officials are in touch with Bangladesh authorities and have expressed our grave concerns about attacks on minorities. We have also urged that the perpetrators of Das’s brutal murder be brought to justice.