Tension increased in India-Bangladesh relations; Indian High Commissioner summoned over vandalism in Agartala
The Bangladesh Foreign Ministry summoned the Indian High Commissioner over the incident of vandalism at the Bangladesh diplomatic mission in Agartala. Also, it has stopped its visa and consular services from the Assistant High Commission in Agartala. However, attacks against Hindus are happening continuously in Bangladesh and incidents of vandalism in Hindu temples are common. Despite this, India has not taken any such step. The Bangladesh government is not taking any steps for the safety of Hindus. Also, people present in the government even say that Hindus are safe in Bangladesh.
Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma reached the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry at around four o'clock. Government news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangathan (BSS) said that the Indian High Commissioner entered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at four in the evening. BSS said that Acting Foreign Secretary Riyaz Hamidullah had summoned the Indian High Commissioner.
Bangladesh has stopped its visa and consular services from the Assistant High Commission in Agartala. Bangladesh official sources told PTI that this decision has been taken for security reasons. This order will come into effect immediately.
There has been tension between the two neighbours since Bangladesh's ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived in India on August 5. This tension has increased further with the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmay Krishna Das last week.
Thousands of people took out a huge rally around the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Tripura to protest against the arrest of spiritual leader Chinmay Krishna Das and attacks on minorities in Bangladesh.
More than 50 protesters reportedly entered the premises of the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala, causing panic among the people present there.
The protesters allegedly entered and allegedly vandalized. The Indian Foreign Ministry has described the incident as very regrettable.