Temporarily Closed Shiliguri-Agartala Visa Centres

Protests outside Bangladesh’s diplomatic missions in India have led to the temporary closure of visa centres in Shiliguri and Agartala. Demonstrations by multiple organisations in Kolkata and Shiliguri prompted authorities to suspend operations, citing security concerns.

On Monday evening, officials from the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata and the Agartala Assistant High Commission confirmed the closures. They emphasised that the measures were precautionary, intended to ensure the safety of staff and visitors.

Earlier in the day, demonstrators in Shiliguri and Kolkata set fire to flex banners bearing the Bangladeshi flag and effigies of Professor Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser. In Shiliguri, protestors explicitly threatened to keep the visa centre closed.

The protests in Shiliguri were sparked by outrage over the murder of garment worker Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh. Members of the Vishva Hindu Parishad and Hindu Jagaran Manch gathered at Baghajatin Park at noon and marched through city streets, ultimately converging at the Bangladesh visa centre. Amidst the crowd, some participants tore down banners displaying the national flag and set them, along with the effigy of the Chief Adviser, on fire. Law enforcement personnel later cordoned off the premises.

Similarly, in Kolkata, the Deputy High Commission faced three separate waves of protests. Members of an organisation called the ‘Nastik Manch’ attempted to enter the High Commission premises around 2:00 pm IST but were prevented by police. They staged their demonstration roughly 200 metres away and submitted a memorandum before dispersing after half an hour. Subsequently, National Congress workers gathered for a protest lasting nearly an hour, meeting officials with a five-member delegation. The demonstration concluded peacefully.

Following this, members of the ‘Hindu Sanatanis’, led by BJP and West Bengal Legislative Assembly opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari, assembled at Bechbagan Mor. Police attempts to restrain them led to scuffles, during which the group blocked roads for approximately one hour and burned effigies. Several participants included Hindu religious figures.

Protests over Dipu Das’ killing were not limited to West Bengal; demonstrations were also held in Delhi and Tripura on Sunday.

Summary of Recent Protests at Bangladesh Missions in India:

Authorities in Bangladesh have reiterated that the suspension is temporary and dependent on the restoration of a secure environment for both staff and visitors.