The Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi has suspended consular services citing "security concerns". The move comes following protests outside the High Commission over the attack on Hindu minorities in the neighbouring country.
Bangladesh's foreign ministry officials said all consular services and visa issuance from the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi have been suspended due to "unforeseen circumstances". "These services will remain closed until further notice," the officials said. Visa services have also been suspended at Agartala and Siliguri until further notice.
According to Prothom Alo, foreign ministry officials told the publication that the Bangladesh High Commissioner's family in Delhi has been feeling at risk and threatened. Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Advisor Md. Towhid Hossain said on Sunday, "The Bangladesh mission is located in a very safe place inside the diplomatic area in Delhi, so why would Hindu extremists be allowed to enter that area? If they were allowed to come, such an incident is not expected," the publication reported.
Close to 25 activists protested outside the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi on Saturday, condemning the killing of Dipu Chandra Das and the attack on Hindu minorities during the recent violent protests in the neighbouring country. However, India's external affairs ministry dismissed Bangladesh media reports that the protesters tried to breach security and enter the Commission as "misleading propaganda".
"There was no attempt to breach the fence or create a security situation at any time. The police stationed at the spot dispersed the group after a few minutes. Visual evidence of these events is available publicly for all to see," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated.
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However, responding to India's statement, Bangladesh said the incident cannot be dismissed as "misleading propaganda", and the incident was "highly regrettable".
Bangladesh also dismissed India's concerns over the attack on minorities in the country and the recent death of Dipu Chandra Das in Bangladesh's Mymensingh as an "isolated attack". "The Government of Bangladesh has promptly apprehended the suspects in this incident. The intercommunal situation in Bangladesh is better than in many other parts in South Asia," it said.
