Violence Erupts Outside Indian High Commission in Bangladesh: What Sparked the Unrest?
Unrest in Chittagong Following Death of Radical Group Spokesperson
Dhaka: A violent incident occurred outside the Indian Assistant High Commission in Chittagong, Bangladesh, on Friday, resulting in injuries to at least four individuals, including two police officers.
The chaos erupted following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, who was the spokesperson for the radical group Inqilab Mancha, as reported by local news outlets.
Protesters gathered outside the Indian mission in the Khulshi area of Chittagong, where they threw bricks and vandalized the premises early Friday morning.
Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) Commissioner Hasib Aziz noted that police intervention led to a pursuit between law enforcement and the demonstrators. The injured were subsequently transported to Chittagong Medical College Hospital.
Aziz mentioned that individuals detained at the scene are likely to face charges under the Anti-Terrorism Act, according to a report from a Bangladeshi daily.
Earlier in the week, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India summoned the Bangladeshi High Commissioner to express serious concerns regarding the worsening security situation in Bangladesh.
The MEA specifically highlighted the activities of extremist groups that have threatened to create unrest around the Indian mission in Dhaka.
India firmly rejected the misleading narrative being propagated by these extremist factions concerning recent events in Bangladesh.
The MEA also expressed disappointment that the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus has not conducted a thorough investigation or provided substantial evidence related to these incidents.
India urged the Yunus-led interim government to uphold its diplomatic responsibilities by ensuring the safety of Indian missions in Bangladesh.
In a separate incident in Chittagong, demonstrators protesting Hadi’s death set fire to a residence belonging to former Awami League Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel.
This incident took place on Thursday night in the Chashmahill area, where protesters also ignited a motorcycle that belonged to former Chittagong mayor Mohiuddin Chowdhury.
Officer-in-Charge of Panchlaish Police Station, Md Solaiman, confirmed that around 200 protesters gathered in the Soloshahar and No 2 Gate areas to demonstrate against Hadi’s death.
"They later proceeded to Mayor Goli, where they set a motorcycle ablaze at the residence of former education minister and Awami League leader Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel. Police were present and attempted to control the situation," the police official was quoted as saying by a Bangladeshi media outlet.
Bangladesh is currently experiencing a troubling increase in violence and a deteriorating law and order situation under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.