Anti-India protests in Bangladesh: Two visa centres closed; rally at consulate | India News
NEW DELHI: India resumed operations at its visa application centre in Bangladesh’s Dhaka on Thursday, a day after the facility was temporarily shut following a march by a large group of anti-India protesters towards the Indian High Commission, which was stopped by police.Also Read | ‘Consistently reiterated our position’: India rebuts Bangladesh’s charges after envoy summoned; denies hostile acts“The Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) in Dhaka is now operational and functioning normally,” an IVAC official said.However, the visa facilities in Khulna and Rajshahi were closed due to security concerns. In a notice on its website, the IVAC said, “In view of the ongoing security situation, IVAC Rajshahi and Khulna will remain closed today. All applicants with appointments scheduled for today will be allotted fresh slots at a later date.”
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Bangladesh has five visa centres for those applying to travel to India. While the Dhaka centre – located at Jamuna Future Park in the country’s capital and largest city – and the IVAC in Chattogram – the second-largest city – are currently operational, the facilities in Khulna and Rajshahi are closed. The fifth one is in Sylhet.Earlier on Wednesday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned Bangladesh’s high commissioner to India, Riaz Hamidullah, and conveyed its “strong concern” over announcements by certain extremist elements to create a security situation around the Indian mission in Dhaka.“We expect the interim government to ensure the safety of missions and posts in Bangladesh in keeping with its diplomatic obligations,” the MEA said, adding that the envoy was apprised of India’s “strong concerns about the deteriorating security environment in Bangladesh.”Also Read | ‘India will teach them lesson’: Assam CM slams Bangladesh leader; remark on NE states in focusHamidullah was also told that New Delhi expects the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government to ensure the safety of missions and posts in Bangladesh in keeping with its diplomatic obligations.In Dhaka, hundreds of protesters under the banner of “July Oikya” (July Unity) began a march towards the Indian High Commission on Wednesday afternoon, raising anti-India slogans and pressing several demands, including an end to what they described as “anti-Bangladesh conspiracies” and the return of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. Hasina fled Bangladesh last year following the student-led “July Uprising” against her government. After resigning and leaving the country on August 5, she has since been living in New Delhi.Dhaka assures foreign missions of ‘robust security’Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s foreign secretary, Asad Alam Siam, met foreign diplomats on Thursday, assuring them of the security of their missions and the maintenance of law and order ahead of the national election scheduled for February 12 next year, the Daily Star reported.Foreign diplomats were also informed that the Election Commission would “welcome” election observers from abroad.Around 40 diplomats from the embassies located in Dhaka were present at the briefing.
