Bangladesh has temporarily suspended visa services at its High Commission in New Delhi and its mission in Tripura. This decision was taken due to rising tensions between India and Bangladesh.
According to people familiar with the matter, the suspension came after groups of protesters demonstrated outside both missions.
Rising Tensions Between India and Bangladesh
Tensions between New Delhi and Dhaka have increased amid ongoing violence in Bangladesh. On Monday, Bangladesh announced the temporary suspension of visa services at both locations in India.
This move came a day after Bangladesh’s foreign affairs advisor said that Dhaka was considering reducing its diplomatic presence in India. Meanwhile, India also temporarily suspended visa services in Chittagong, Bangladesh.
Notice Issued by Bangladesh High Commission
A notice has been put up outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi informing people about the closure of visa services.
The notice states, “Due to unavoidable circumstances, all consular and visa services at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi have been temporarily suspended till further orders.”
Earlier, on Sunday, the Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Tripura also announced the suspension of visa services after protests outside the mission.
In addition, a private operator appointed by Bangladesh to process visa applications in Siliguri, West Bengal, has also stopped its services.
India Suspends Visa Services in Chittagong
On Sunday, India suspended visa services at the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) in Chittagong, a southeastern port city in Bangladesh, until further notice.
This step was taken due to increased tension following the death of prominent youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi.
After his death, incidents of violence and vandalism were reported from various parts of Bangladesh. During this period, the residence of the Assistant Indian High Commissioner in Chittagong was also attacked with stones on Thursday.
Indefinite Closure of Indian Visa Centre
The Dhaka Tribune reported on Sunday that the Indian Visa Application Centre in Chittagong has been suspended indefinitely.
The report quoted IVAC officials, stating that the suspension came into effect from Sunday following the recent incident at the Indian Assistant High Commission in Chittagong.
The statement added that a decision on reopening the centre will be taken after reviewing the security situation.
Security was also increased at the Indian Assistant High Commission office and the Visa Application Centre in Sylhet, Bangladesh, on Saturday.
BJP Protests Near Bangladesh Deputy High Commission
Meanwhile, the BJP held a protest near the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata on Monday.
The protest was against the murder of Bengali Hindu Dipu Das in Bangladesh. During the protest, demonstrators burned an effigy of Mohammad Yunus, the head of Bangladesh’s interim government.
Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari led a rally along with other party leaders and supporters from Nizam Palace to Bekbagan.
He announced that Hindu organizations would block roads across West Bengal on December 24 to protest the murder.
Adhikari demanded strict punishment for those involved and said attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh must stop immediately.
He also warned officials at the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission that if the attacks did not stop, he would return on December 26 with 10,000 people.
During the protest, around 2,000 people sat on the road. Protesters strongly condemned the murder and the burning of Dipu Das’s body in Mymensingh on the night of December 18.
