DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENT

Bangladesh missions in New Delhi and Agartala have suspended all consular and visa services amid security concerns.

Meanwhile, a visa application centre, operated by a third party appointed by the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata, was forced to close the office by demonstrators.

Different groups in Kolkata also protested in front of the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission against what they described as attacks on minorities in Bangladesh, especially the killing of garment worker Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh last week.

“Due to unavoidable circumstances, all consular & visa services from the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi are temporarily suspended until further notice,” according to a notice on the Bangladesh mission’s board yesterday.

“Any inconvenience caused is sincerely regretted,” it said.

In New Delhi, the suspension of visa and consular services come amid heightened security outside the high commission following a planned protest by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal activists yesterday over the killing of a Hindu youth in Bangladesh, reported Indian newspaper The Telegraph.

Security was tightened in the diplomatic enclave, with police and paramilitary personnel deployed at regular intervals.

On December 18, Dipu, 25, was beaten to death by a mob over allegations of “hurting religious sentiments”.

Local media of Agartala, Lokmat Time, reported activists of Sanatani Hindu Sena and the youth wing of Tipra Motha Party, an ally of BJP in Tripura, last week held separate demonstrations Leaders He

SEE PAGE 2 COL 1