Why India Has Halted Visa Services in Chittagong: Unrest Following Violent Protests
Suspension of Visa Services in Chittagong
Chittagong: In light of a recent violent episode at the Indian Assistant High Commission in Chittagong, Bangladesh, Indian visa services at the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) will be suspended starting Sunday until further notice, according to officials.
They indicated that any updates regarding the resumption of visa operations would follow a thorough assessment of the current security conditions.
This decision was prompted by violent clashes that occurred outside the Indian mission on Friday, resulting in injuries to at least four individuals, including two police officers.
Local media reported that the unrest was triggered by the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a spokesperson for the radical group Inqilab Mancha.
Protesters reportedly gathered outside the Indian mission in the Khulshi area of Chittagong, throwing bricks and damaging parts of the facility early Friday morning.
Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) Commissioner Hasib Aziz stated that police intervention led to a pursuit between law enforcement and the demonstrators. Those injured during the confrontations were transported to Chittagong Medical College Hospital for medical attention.
Aziz also mentioned that several individuals were detained at the scene and may face charges under the Anti-Terrorism Act, as reported by 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 deteriorating security situation in Bangladesh.
The MEA specifically highlighted the activities of extremist groups that have allegedly threatened to create unrest around the Indian mission in Dhaka.
India has firmly dismissed what it calls a misleading narrative propagated by these extremist factions concerning recent events in Bangladesh.
The MEA also conveyed its worries that the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus has not conducted a thorough investigation or provided substantial evidence to India regarding these incidents.
New Delhi urged the Yunus-led interim government to uphold its diplomatic responsibilities by ensuring the safety and security of Indian missions in Bangladesh.
In a separate incident in Chittagong, demonstrators protesting Hadi’s death set fire to the residence of former Awami League Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel.
This incident occurred Thursday night in the Chashmahill area, where protesters also burned a motorcycle belonging to former Chittagong mayor Mohiuddin Chowdhury.
Officer-in-Charge of Panchlaish Police Station, Md Solaiman, confirmed that around 200 protesters had gathered in the Soloshahar and No. 2 Gate areas of Chittagong to voice their grievances over Hadi’s death.
Bangladesh has seen a significant increase in violence and a decline in law and order under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.