India has indefinitely suspended all visa operations from in Bangladesh amid escalating tensions across Bangladesh. The update comes mere days after the country paused services from its Khulna and Rajshahi centres and rescheduled all appointments. The Indian Visa Application Centre in Dhaka had also stopped services earlier this week before resuming operations on Thursday.
“Due to recent security incident at AHCI Chittagong, Indian visa operations at IVAC Chittagong will remain suspended from December 21 until further notice. The announcement for reopening the visa center will be made after reviewing the situation,” read a short update on the IVAC website.
The suspension follows reports of unrest and security concerns near the diplomatic mission earlier this week.
Chaos across Bangladesh
Bangladesh has also seen a barrage of violent incidents in recent days — with 10 people arrested on Sunday for the brutal murder of a Hindu youth. Dipu Chandra Das was beaten to death by an angry mob over alleged blasphemy in Mymensingh. His body was subsequently set on fire on December 18. The incident sparked widespread outrage and condemnation.
Meanhwhile Dhaka remains on edge following the final funeral prayers for Sharif Osman Hadi on Saturday. The convenor of Inqilab Moncho was shot at close range on December 12 while travelling through the capital city. He had been one of the prominent figures behind the July Uprising last year. Protests had erupted across Dhaka after his death on Thursday. A fresh wave of outrage followed as activists gathered at Shahbagh intersection to call for justice for the slain leader on Sunday.
MEA issues clarification
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs also issued a clarification following protests outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi. The MEA rejected reports that protesters attempted to breach the fence of the premises. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said there was “misleading propaganda” in sections of the Bangladesh media regarding the incident.