Hindu groups led massive protests against the lynching of Dipu Das in Bangladesh — clashing with police in multiple cities. The development came even as Dhaka struggled to control unrest over the death of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi and officials summoned the Indian envoy to register “grave concern” over the ongoing agitation outside its visa centres.
Members of Bangiyo Hindu Jagran and several other groups staged a protest in Kolkata over ‘atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh’. According to the police, they had planned to submit a deputation to the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission. But the situation became tense after a large number of demonstrators gathered near the premises. Officials had eventually resorted to a lathi charge in a bid to disperse the crowd and prevent a breach of law and order.
A separate protest in Mumbai saw members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad detained by police. Protests were also staged over violence against minorities in Bangladesh at multiple locations including Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Hyderabad. The Delhi police detained protesting members of the VHP and other Hindu organisations after they gathered near the Bangladesh High Commission on Tuesday morning.
Bangladesh summons Indian envoy
The Bangladesh Foreign Ministry also summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma on Tuesday over the security of its missions in India. An official statement said the neighbouring country had conveyed its “grave concern over the regrettable incidents” outside the perimeter of the Bangladesh High Commission and residence in New Delhi on December 20. It also flagged “acts of vandalism at” its Visa Centre in Siliguri on December 22 by “different extremist elements.”
“Bangladesh also expressed deep concern over violent protests staged outside the premises of the different Diplomatic Missions of Bangladesh in India,” the statement said.
Bangladesh urged India to conduct a thorough investigation into the incidents and take all necessary measures to prevent the recurrence of such acts and ensure the safety of its diplomatic missions and related facilities in the country. The development came a day after Dhaka suspended visa and consular services in New Delhi, Siliguri and Agartala. Foreign ministry officials said the suspension would remain in effect until further notice.
Sheikh Hasina indicted over ‘enforced disappearances’
The International Crimes Tribunal framed charges against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and several others amid allegations of enforced disappearances during the Awami League era. According to a Daily Star report, the three-member tribunal passed the order after reading out the four charges brought against the accused, who also include Hasina’s former defence and security adviser Maj Gen Tarique Ahmed Siddique (retd) and 11 army officers.