Bangladesh demands ‘thorough investigation’ into attack on its mission in Tripura

The interim government in Bangladesh has demanded a thorough investigation into the incident where a group of protesters breached the premises of its consulate in Tripura’s Agartala on Monday.

Dhaka said the protesters had broken down the mission's main gate, damaged property inside, vandalised the flag pole and desecrated the national flag, leaving staff with a "deep sense of insecurity".

"The government of Bangladesh calls upon the government of India to take immediate action to address this incident, to undertake a thorough investigation ... to prevent any further acts of violence against the diplomatic missions of Bangladesh," said an official statement.

Earlier in the day, thousands of people took out a massive rally near the Bangladesh Assistant High Commissioner's office in Agartala demanding the immediate release of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das and stoppage of attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh. The protest was organised by  the Hindu Sangharsh Samity, a VHP affiliate.

According to police, a six-member delegation of Hindu Sangharsh Samity was allowed inside the assistant high commission to submit a memorandum, but a few "additional people" entered the premises and raised 'Jai Shri Ram' slogans.

"However, there was no breach of peace or trouble inside the Bangladesh mission as we drove out the protesters immediately," West Tripura Additional SP Chiranjib Chakraborty was quoted as saying by PTI.

The Ministry of External Affairs termed the incident as “deeply regrettable” and said diplomatic and consular properties should not be targeted under any circumstances.

“The incident earlier today of the breach of premises at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala is deeply regrettable. Diplomatic and consular properties should not be targeted under any circumstances,” the MEA said in a statement.

“Government is taking action to step up security arrangements for the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and their Deputy/Assistant High Commissions in the country,” it said.