Amidst protests in Bangladesh, India suspends visa services in Chittagong

Following violent protests close to its diplomatic grounds, India’s assistant high commission in Chittagong briefly suspended operations due to staff safety concerns, according to an official report. 

According to official sources, India has now temporarily halted visa services at its Chittagong mission, indicating that it is becoming increasingly concerned about the escalating political upheaval in Bangladesh. 

Following violent protests close to its diplomatic grounds, India’s assistant high commission in Chittagong briefly suspended operations due to staff safety concerns, according to an official report. The second-largest city in Bangladesh, New Delhi, has responded by suspending visa services from the city.

Following the death of 32-year-old youth activist Sharif Osman Hadi, who was gravely injured in Dhaka on December 12 and ultimately passed away in Singapore, huge protests broke out. The decision was made on Sunday. 

Demanding accountability, thousands of people rushed to the streets, and reports of violent protests have surfaced in Dhaka and other cities around the nation. Several significant newspaper offices were set on fire, and a Hindu garment worker was lynched in the Mymensingh area during the disturbance.