NEW DELHI: The ministry of external affairs (MEA) on Monday condemned the breach of the Bangladesh assistant high commission premises in Agartala, describing the incident as “deeply regrettable” and stressed that diplomatic and consular properties should not be targeted under any circumstance.
“The incident earlier today of the breach of premises at the Bangladesh assistant high commission in Agartala is deeply regrettable. Diplomatic and consular properties should not be targeted under any circumstances,” MEA said in a statement.
“Government is taking action to step up security arrangements for the Bangladesh high commission in New Delhi and their deputy/assistant high commissions in the country,” the ministry added.
Demonstrators allegedly broke into the Bangladesh assistant high commission in Agartala to protest atrocities against minorities in the neighbouring country.
The high commission breach comes after an Agartala-Kolkata bus traveling via Dhaka on Saturday reportedly faced an attack in the Brahmanbaria district of Bangladesh after being involved in an accident on Vishwa Road.
The breach comes amid escalating tensions between India and Bangladesh, exacerbated by rising attacks on Hindus and their places of worship in Bangladesh following the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina earlier this year. The political instability in Bangladesh has coincided with a series of mob attacks, intensifying concerns for the safety of the Hindu minority community.
The tension rose further after the arrest of prominent Iskcon priest Chinmoy Krishna Das, a vocal advocate for minority rights. Das was detained at Dhaka airport in October on charges of allegedly disrespecting the Bangladeshi flag during a rally. The specifics of the allegations remain vague, and Das has been denied bail.
The external ministry had said that the Indian government has taken the incidents of attacks on minorities seriously and communicated its concerns to Bangladesh authorities.