Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Dec 18: India has shut down two visa application centres in Bangladesh following protests in Khulna and Rajshahi, while the centre in Dhaka resumed operations, officials said on Thursday. The developments come amid rising tensions over New Delhi providing shelter to ousted former Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

The High Commission of India in Dhaka cited security concerns as the reason for closing the Khulna and Rajshahi centres. “Whenever the security situation turns bad, we are forced to shut down,” an official said.

In Rajshahi, a protest march organized by ‘July 36 Mancha’ towards the Indian Assistant High Commission was stopped midway by police barricades. Demonstrators staged a sit-in in front of the barricades, while similar protests were reported in Khulna.

Amid the unrest, India’s Ministry of External Affairs summoned Bangladesh High Commissioner Riaz Hamidullah on Wednesday, lodging a strong protest over threats to Indian missions. The MEA highlighted concerns over extremist elements planning actions that could compromise the safety of the Indian mission in Dhaka.

The tensions were reportedly triggered by a speech from National Citizen Party leader Hasnat Abdullah, claiming Bangladesh could shelter separatist forces from India and sever the country’s seven northeastern states. Meanwhile, Dhaka police prevented protesters from marching toward the Indian High Commission in the capital’s Gulshan area, where demonstrators demanded the return of Sheikh Hasina.