Indian envoy summoned again over recurrent attacks on BD missions

Bangladesh summoned India's high commissioner in Dhaka Tuesday and lodged protest against unrelenting ruckus and acts of vandalism targeting Bangladeshi missions in India.

In a retaliatory move on the day India also summoned Bangladesh High Commissioner Riaz Hamidullah.

However, India deployed 15,000 security forces in front of the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi.

This underscores a buildup of strain in bilateral ties between the two next-door neighbours ostensibly during Bangladesh's critical political transition after a mass uprising that toppled the government headed by Sheikh Hasina.

Since the interim administration assumed office, the Indian high commissioner had been summoned five times previously over a range of issues, including border incidents, political rhetoric and the treatment of Bangladeshi nationals. Tuesday's meeting marks the sixth such démarche, reflecting Dhaka's determination to assert diplomatic norms amid heightened sensitivities.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the day said it called in the Indian high commissioner, Pranay Verma, to convey "grave concern" over what it described as "regrettable incidents" outside the Bangladesh high commission and the envoy's official residence in New Delhi on December 20, as well as vandalism at the Bangladesh visa centre in Siliguri two days later.

Dhaka says the actions have been carried out by "different extremist elements".

Services at the visa centre in Siliguri were later closed.

In a statement, a foreign ministry spokesperson said Bangladesh was "deeply concerned" by violent demonstrations staged outside several Bangladeshi diplomatic premises in India. Such actions, the statement reads, constitute premeditated intimidation that endangered diplomatic personnel and undermined "the principles of mutual respect and the values of peace and tolerance".

The government formally condemned the incidents, stressing that attacks on diplomatic establishments violate international norms and obligations.

And Dhaka urges New Delhi to launch a thorough investigation, take all necessary steps to prevent a recurrence and ensure the safety and security of Bangladesh's diplomatic missions and related facilities across India.

"The Government of Bangladesh expects the Government of India to immediately take appropriate steps in accordance with its international and diplomatic obligations to safeguard the dignity and security of diplomatic personnel and establishments," the spokesperson stated.

New Delhi has previously maintained that it is committed to the safety of all foreign missions and to upholding its responsibilities under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

However, violent demonstrations by extremist Hindutva elements staged rowdy anti- Bangladesh protests at various Indian cities, including New Delhi and Kolkata.

However, hordes of protesters demonstrated outside Bangladesh High Commission Tuesday over the reported lynching of a person, Dipu Das, in Mymensingh, according to Indian media reports.

The 27-year-old factory worker was lynched by a mob last week after being accused of making derogatory remarks against Islam.

Bangladeshi authorities have arrested at least 10 persons in connection with his death.

In New Delhi, a demonstration called by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal led to clashes with police near the Bangladesh High Commission. Protesters attempted to breach barricades, prompting police to use batons to disperse the crowds, reports the Daily Telegraph.

Demonstrators raised slogans and held placards calling for a boycott of Bangladesh. Some warned that the agitation would continue if their demands were not met.

"We needed to raise the voice of Hindus of Bangladesh in Delhi, and we have done that," one protester told PTI. "As long as even one Hindu is being harmed there, we will not stop."

In Kolkata, a march titled Hindu Hunkar Padayatra, organised by Bongiyo Hindu Jagaran, was intercepted by police in the Beckbagan area as it attempted to reach the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission. A heavy police presence was deployed around the mission. Police halted the march citing security concerns, leading to scuffles.

Protesters raised slogans condemning the killing of Dipu Das. On Monday, West Bengal leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari and Congress leaders staged similar protests outside the Deputy High Commission.

Their protest march was joined by many Hindu monks, which was stopped by the Kolkata Police due to security concerns. The protesters scuffled with the police as they were barred from entering the commission.

Barred from moving ahead, the BJP leader and other protesters conducted a sit-in demonstration on the road.

mirmostafiz@yahoo.com