India shuts visa services at some missions in Bangladesh

DHAKA: Protests against India continued in Bangladesh on Thursday, as hundreds, raising slogans and demanding the return of former PM Sheikh Hasina, marched towards the Indian assistant high commissions in Khulna and Rajshahi, forcing closure of visa services till further orders at the two missions. This comes a day after a large number of demonstrators, under the banner of "July Oikya", marched towards the Indian high commission in Dhaka.

Demanding that India allow the extradition of Hasina, the protesters threatened that if she is not in Bangladesh by Dec 25, the Indian mission in Khulna will be "destroyed".


Demonstrations in Khulna and Rajshahi cities - though the marchers were stopped - were held even as the Muhammad Yunus-led interim govt assured diplomats stationed in Dhaka that it has taken "all measures to ensure their safety and security". Security around the Indian high commission in the capital has been strengthened, officials said as the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) , which was shut on Wednesday, resumed operations on Thursday.

Based on the "evolving security situation", there will be a reassessment on IVAC operations in Dhaka. Visa services at Chittagong, Khulna, Rajshahi and Sylhet centres are also being reviewed in light of the prevailing situation, an official said.