Tripura's Bangladesh mission suspends service a day after breaching of premises
The Bangladesh's Assistant High Commission in Agartala, which is located in the North-Eastern state of Tripura, has decided to suspend consular service until further notice after its premises was breached by a group of people who were protesting against the arrest of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das in the neighbouring nation.
In a notice signed by First Secretary and Head of Chancery Md Al Amin, the assistant high commission announced that the suspension will come into immediate effect, reported The Daily Star.
According to reports, India acted swiftly following the incident and seven people have been arrested so far.
Authorities have suspended three policemen over the incident which took place on Monday.
Speaking to The Indian Express newspaper, a senior police official said on Tuesday that a case was registered with New Capital Complex police station.
“The arrested individuals include Jhutan Das of Border Golchakkar, Ujjwal Das of Dashamighat, Diptanil Bhowmik of Abhoynagar, Surja Das of Amtali area in the outskirts of Agartala city, Jhulan Malakar of Belonia in South Tripura, Pradip Saha of 79 Tilla area in Agartala and Alak Majumder of SDO Chowmuhani in West Tripura,” the official said.
During the protest, over 50 agitators allegedly entered the premises of the Bangladeshi mission in Agartala, leading to panic among the officials and staff at the complex.
#Bangladesh deeply resents the violent attack into 🇧🇩Assistant High Commission in Agartala | #India, this afternoon, vandalisation of the Mission premise and desecration of 🇧🇩Flag. pic.twitter.com/FfNYURJSEF
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs (@BDMOFA) December 2, 2024
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has condemned the breach at the Bangladesh mission's premises in Agartala and called it "deeply regrettable".
"The incident earlier today of the breach of premises at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala is deeply regrettable. Diplomatic and consular properties should not be targeted under any circumstances. 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," the MEA said.
Ties between India and Bangladesh came under strain after the interim government headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus came to power following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August.
Protests were held in Kolkata and other regions of India over the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh.
