The Tripura government has suspended three police officers, taken a senior official off duty, and detained seven persons in the wake of a security breach at the Bangladesh diplomatic mission in Agartala, a development that has heightened tensions between New Delhi and Dhaka.
The breach occurred during a large protest against the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, where approximately 50 demonstrators entered the premises of the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission. In response, the interim government in Bangladesh expressed serious concerns, alleging that local police failed to adequately manage the situation. Dhaka reported that the incident left mission staff feeling “deeply insecure” and called on New Delhi to take immediate action.
The Ministry of External Affairs termed the incident “deeply regrettable,” highlighting that it firmly believes diplomatic and consular premises are never ever to be targeted. The government is taking steps to enhance security arrangements for the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and its other missions in India.
A senior police officer in Tripura said that the BJP government of the state has ordered an inquiry into the incidents during the protest. Three suspended officers: sub-inspectors Dilu Jamatia, Debabrata Sinha and Joynal Hossain along with Assistant Commandant Kanti Nath Ghosh, were punished for negligence.
In the aftermath of the recent incidents, the police deployed at the Bangladesh mission are being increased. While protesting against it, Chief Minister of Tripura Dr. Manik Saha said though peaceful demonstrations can be done, such type of acts are not tolerable at all.
Relations between India and Bangladesh have been strained of late, especially after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government and reports of violence against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh. The arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das has led to a fresh round of protests in support of these minorities. India’s External Affairs Minister has called on Bangladesh’s interim government to safeguard its minority communities, while Bangladeshi officials have reassured their Indian counterparts of their commitment to preventing communal unrest.
