The Bangladesh government has expressed strong resentment over the violent demonstration and attack carried out by members of the Hindu Sangharsh Samity at the premises of the Assistant High Commission of Bangladesh in Agartala this afternoon.

“This act in Agartala violates the inviolability of diplomatic missions as stipulated by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961,” stated the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement released in the evening.

As the host government is responsible for safeguarding diplomatic missions against any intrusion or harm, Bangladesh has urged the Indian government to take swift measures to address the incident.

The statement further called for a comprehensive investigation into the attack and requested India to ensure such incidents do not recur, emphasizing the protection of Bangladesh’s diplomatic missions, diplomats, staff, and their families in India.

“The reports conclusively indicate that the protesters forced entry into the premises by breaking the main gate of the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in a premeditated manner,” the statement noted.

During the attack, it said, in the presence of local law enforcement officials, the protesters vandalized the flagpole, desecrated Bangladesh’s national flag, and damaged property within the mission’s premises.

“Unfortunately, the local police officers responsible for protecting the premises were not proactive in managing the situation from the onset,” the statement added.

The incident has left the members of the Assistant High Commission with a profound sense of insecurity, according to the statement.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also highlighted that this attack on Bangladesh’s diplomatic mission and the desecration of its national flag follow a concerning pattern, citing a similar violent demonstration in Kolkata on November 28, 2024.

BDST: 2133 HRS, DEC 02, 2024
MSK