B’desh Assistant High Commission in Agartala Resumes Visa, Consular Services
Agartala, Feb 05, 2025, By Our Correspondent39
The Bangladesh Assistant High Commission (AHC) in Agartala has officially resumed all visa and consular services for Indian citizens, ending a two-month suspension that began in early December 2024, officials confirmed on Wednesday.
The services were halted on December 3, 2024, following a security breach at the AHC office. The diplomatic mission had indefinitely suspended visa issuance and other consular functions after an incident involving protestors forcibly entering the premises.
Acting Head and First Secretary of the AHC, Mohammad Al Amin, issued a formal notice announcing the resumption of all services. “This is for intimation to all visa and consular service seekers that operations at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala will resume from Wednesday, February 5,” the notice stated.
Background and Impact of Suspension
The security concerns that led to the suspension of services arose after a delegation from the ‘Hindu Sangharsh Samiti’ met AHC officials on December 2, 2024, submitting a memorandum urging the caretaker government of Bangladesh to address alleged atrocities against Hindus and safeguard their lives and properties. The protest escalated when some activists forcefully entered the AHC premises and allegedly desecrated the Bangladeshi national flag. Law enforcement agencies quickly intervened and dispersed the protestors, detaining seven individuals linked to the breach.
While the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata and the AHC in Guwahati continued to provide visa and consular services uninterrupted, the suspension at the Agartala mission had a significant impact. The disruption led to a sharp decline in the number of Indians traveling to Bangladesh via the Tripura border, as many relied on the Agartala-Akhaura integrated check post and four other operational border crossings in the state to enter Bangladesh using valid passports and visas.
Security Measures and Disciplinary Actions
In response to the security breach, authorities significantly bolstered security around the Bangladesh AHC office. Additional forces, including the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Tripura State Rifles (TSR), and local police units, were deployed to ensure the protection of the diplomatic premises. Senior Tripura Police officials have been actively monitoring the situation and overseeing security arrangements.
Following the incident, West Tripura District Superintendent of Police Kiran Kumar K. took disciplinary action against law enforcement officers who were found negligent in their duties. Three Sub-Inspectors of police were suspended, and an Assistant Commandant (a Deputy Superintendent of Police rank officer) was withdrawn from his post for failing to prevent the protestors from entering the diplomatic compound.
Ongoing Developments
The resumption of services is expected to facilitate smoother travel for Indians planning to visit Bangladesh, particularly those using the Tripura corridor. However, tensions remain high following political unrest in Bangladesh, particularly after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government on August 5, 2024. These developments have led to a broader decline in cross-border travel between the two nations.
With security measures in place, the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala is now fully operational, offering visa and consular services to Indian nationals once again.