Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Violence erupted outside the Indian Assistant High Commission in Chittagong, Bangladesh, on December 19, leaving at least four people injured, including two police officers. The unrest broke out following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the radical group Inqilab Mancha, local media reported. According to the police, the protesters gathered outside the Indian mission’s office in the Khulshi area of Chittagong hurled bricks, vandalising the office premises in the early hours of December 19.
Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) Commissioner Hasib Aziz stated that the police intervention resulted in a chase and counter-chase between law enforcement officers and protesters. He added that those injured in the clash were taken to Chittagong Medical College Hospital. Aziz stated that police detained people at the scene, who are expected to be booked under the Anti-Terrorism Act, according to the Bangladeshi daily Dhaka Tribune.
Earlier on December 17, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned Bangladesh High Commissioner to India, Riaz Hamidullah, to convey New Delhi’s strong concerns over the deteriorating security environment in Bangladesh. According to the MEA, the Bangladeshi envoy’s attention was drawn specifically to the activities of some extremist elements who have announced plans to create a security situation around the Indian mission in Dhaka. India outrightly rejected the false narrative sought to be created by extremist elements regarding certain recent events in Bangladesh. The MEA expressed concern that the Muhammad Yunus-led interim Government has neither conducted a thorough investigation nor shared meaningful evidence with India regarding the incidents.