Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
Indian visa operations at the Indian Visa Application Center (IVAC) in Chattogram, Bangladesh have been suspended from December 21 until further notice following a recent security incident near the Assistant High Commission of India in the port city.
In a notice issued by IVAC Bangladesh, officials said visa services would remain on hold until the situation is reviewed and deemed safe, adding that the reopening would be announced later.
The suspension comes amid heightened security concerns around Indian diplomatic premises in Bangladesh, with protests and unrest recently reported near the Indian Assistant High Commission in Chattogram following the death of student leader Sharif Usman Hadi.
Many allege that Hadi’s attackers fled to India and are demanding that the government hold India accountable for alleged interference in Bangladesh.
Thousands of people reportedly attended Hadi’s funeral and raised anti-India slogans such as “Delhi or Dhaka – Dhaka, Dhaka” and “Brother Hadi’s blood will not be allowed to go in vain”.
Local media bdnews24 reported demonstrations in Chattogram as well as several other cities, following which authorities tightened security and temporarily halted visa operations as a precaution.
India operates several visa application centers across Bangladesh to meet the high cross-border travel demand, especially for medical, business and tourism purposes. Chattogram Center is one of the major facilities outside Dhaka.
Read also, Bangladesh unrest: Student leader Osman Hadi buried in Dhaka amid heavy security
(edited by : Priyanka Deshpande,