‘Security breach’ at Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala ‘deeply regrettable’: India

December 3, 2024

NEW DELHI – Indian foreign ministry says action taken to step up security for all Bangladesh missions across India

India today said the security breach of the premises at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala, the capital city of the north eastern state of Agartala, is “deeply regrettable”.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs, in a statement, also said it is taking steps to step up security in diplomatic missions of Bangladesh across the country.

“Diplomatic and consular properties should not be targeted under any circumstances,” the MEA said in a statement amidst rising tensions in bilateral ties.

The comments by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) came hours after thousands of people took out a massive rally around the Bangladeshi mission in Tripura protesting the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das and alleged attacks on minorities in Bangladesh.

According to PTI, over 50 protesters reportedly entered the premises of the Bangladesh mission in Agartala, triggering concerns among those present at the complex.

The rally was taken out under the banner of Hindu Sangharsh Samity, an affiliate of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).

A memorandum was submitted to the Assistant High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Agartala, Arif Mohammad, over the issue, PTI said.

“The incident earlier today of the breach of premises at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala is deeply regrettable,” the MEA said in a statement.

It said the Indian government is taking action to step up security for the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and other missions of the country in India.

“The government is taking action to step up security arrangements for the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and their deputy/assistant high commissions in the country,” it said.

Last Friday, MEA spokesman Randhir Jaiswal had said that the interim government in Bangladesh must live up to its responsibility of protecting all minorities as it expressed serious concern over the “surge” of extremist rhetoric and increasing incidents of violence against Hindus.

Relations between India and Bangladesh have come under strain after the interim government headed by Professor Muhammad Yunus came to power following the ouster of prime minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5.