India calls Bangladesh mission's breach in Agartala 'deeply regrettable'
New Delhi/IBNS: India on Monday condemned the breach at the Bangladesh mission's premises in Agartala and called it "deeply regrettable".
"Diplomatic and consular properties should not be targeted under any circumstances," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.
Our statement on breach of premises at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission, Agartala ⬇️https://t.co/hVVB0SITQn pic.twitter.com/li8TtmwfS8
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) December 2, 2024
The MEA's response came hours after hundreds of people took out a massive rally around the Bangladeshi mission in Tripura's capital in protest against the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh.
The protest also saw voices raised against the spate of attacks on minorities in the neighbouring country.
During the protest, over 50 agitators allegedly entered the premises of the Bangladeshi mission in Agartala, leading to panic among the officials and staff at the complex.
"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. 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," the MEA said.
The Bangladesh interim government in a post on X said it "deeply resents the violent attack into the Assistant High Commission in Agartala this afternoon, vandalisation of the Mission premise and desecration of the Bangladesh flag."
#Bangladesh deeply resents the violent attack into 🇧🇩Assistant High Commission in Agartala | #India, this afternoon, vandalisation of the Mission premise and desecration of 🇧🇩Flag. pic.twitter.com/FfNYURJSEF
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs (@BDMOFA) December 2, 2024
India, meanwhile, said the interim government in Bangladesh must shoulder its responsibility of protecting all minorities while expressing serious concern over the "surge" of extremist rhetoric and increasing incidents of violence against Hindus.
Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, arrested for alleged sedition, should be dealt with in a just, fair, and transparent manner, India stated.
Ties between India and Bangladesh came under strain after the interim government headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus came to power following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August.