Shiliguri–Agartala Visa Centres Temporarily Closed

The Bangladesh Visa Centres in Shiliguri and Agartala have been temporarily closed following a series of protests and threats, prompting concerns over staff and public safety. Demonstrations were held outside the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata as well as the Shiliguri Visa Centre, involving multiple organisations expressing outrage over recent incidents in Bangladesh.

Officials from the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata and the Assistant High Commission in Agartala confirmed on Monday evening that operations had been suspended temporarily due to security considerations. “The centres will remain closed until the situation stabilises,” a senior official stated.

Earlier in the day, protesters in Shiliguri and Kolkata burned banners featuring the Bangladeshi flag and effigies of Professor Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser. In Shiliguri, demonstrators explicitly threatened the visa centre, demanding its closure.

The protests in Shiliguri were primarily driven by anger over the killing of garment worker Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh. Members of the Vishva Hindu Parishad and Hindu Jagaran Manch gathered at Bagha Jatin Park at noon before marching through various city streets, ultimately reaching the Bangladesh Visa Centre. During the demonstration, some protesters tore banners and set effigies ablaze, prompting local law enforcement to surround the premises.

Police reported that the centres were already closed ahead of the scheduled protests. Several members of the protesting groups later entered the premises under police supervision to speak with staff, issuing threats to maintain closure until assurances were given regarding the protection of Hindus and temples in Bangladesh.

In Kolkata, three separate protests occurred outside the Deputy High Commission. The first involved members of an organisation called ‘Nastik Manch,’ who attempted to enter the premises around 2 pm local time but were prevented by police. They staged a demonstration 200 metres away, leaving after submitting a memorandum. Subsequently, National Congress activists protested for nearly an hour, handing over a delegation of five representatives to the officials. Later, a group led by BJP and West Bengal opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari, including several Hindu monks, blocked roads at Beak Bagan More and set effigies on fire, leading to minor scuffles with the police.

Protests in response to Dipu Das’s murder have also occurred across West Bengal, Delhi, and Tripura, signalling widespread unrest over the incident.

Table: Summary of Recent Protests

The temporary closure of the Shiliguri and Agartala visa centres underscores the gravity of the security situation, with authorities urging calm and monitoring developments closely.