Agartala, Dec 23: A day after the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission (AHC) in Agartala announced the indefinite suspension of visa and consular services, the Tipra Motha Party (TMP), a key ally of the ruling BJP in Tripura, on Tuesday warned that it would oppose the reopening of the diplomatic mission unless attacks and alleged atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh are brought to an end.
In an official notification, the First Secretary and Head of the Bangladesh AHC in Agartala, S. M. Almas Hossain, stated that “due to unavoidable circumstances, all visa and consular services will remain closed from December 23 until further notice.” However, the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Guwahati continues to function normally.
TMP supremo and former royal scion Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma, in a video message, asserted that his party would not allow the Agartala mission to resume operations unless the situation for minorities in Bangladesh improves. He also pointed out that protests have been staged in front of the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh.
Claiming credit for the shutdown, Debbarma wrote on X that protests and an ultimatum issued by TMP and its youth wing had forced the closure of the mission in Agartala. Several political parties and organisations in Tripura have also condemned the alleged lynching of a Hindu man, Dipu Das, in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district, accusing the interim government there of failing to protect religious minorities.
The Youth Tipra Federation (YTF), TMP’s youth wing, had staged protests near the AHC on December 19, alleging that leaders in Bangladesh made “anti-India” remarks. YTF President Suraj Debbarma accused certain Bangladeshi leaders of issuing provocative statements about India’s northeastern states and the Siliguri Corridor, also known as the “Chicken’s Neck.”
Meanwhile, Tripura Police said security around the Bangladesh AHC in Agartala has been further tightened. A senior police official confirmed that additional personnel from the CRPF and Tripura State Rifles have been deployed to ensure the safety of the diplomatic mission and its officials.
