 "A mourner holds Bangladesh's national flag during the funeral of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi in Dhaka on December 20, after two days of violent protests over his killing. Huge crowds accompanied the funeral procession of Hadi, a key figure in last year's pro-democracy uprising who died in a hospital in Singapore on December 18 after being shot by masked gunmen while leaving a Dhaka mosque. (AFP)")
India on Tuesday summoned Bangladesh High Commissioner Riaz Hamidullah for the second time , as relations between the two neighbours remain strained.
The move came after a series of incidents targeting Bangladeshi diplomatic facilities in India, leading to New Delhi raising concerns about the safety and security of diplomatic staff.
India called in the Bangladesh envoy following protests and acts of vandalism outside Bangladeshi diplomatic premises, which have heightened tensions between the two countries. Officials, quoted by ANI, said the incidents raised serious concerns over the protection of foreign missions and personnel on Indian soil.
Earlier, Bangladesh had summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma to convey Dhaka’s concerns over demonstrations outside the Bangladesh High Commission and the High Commissioner’s residence in New Delhi on December 20, along with vandalism at the Bangladesh Visa Centre in Siliguri on Monday. Bangladesh’s foreign ministry said the incidents were carried out by various extremist groups.
What’s happening in Bangladesh?
The latest diplomatic exchange comes against the backdrop of violent anti-India protests in several parts of Bangladesh.
Protests broke out across Bangladesh for a second straight day as protesters called for justice for Sharif Osman Hadi, a key figure in last year’s pro-democracy movement who died on Thursday in a Singapore hospital after being shot by masked assailants.
Hadi, a 32-year-old student leader known for his outspoken criticism of India, was attacked last week while leaving a mosque in Dhaka. As confirmation of his death spread, scenes of mourning quickly gave way to anger and unrest on Friday.
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View AllProtests escalated in several areas, with multiple buildings vandalised, including offices of media outlets accused by demonstrators of being sympathetic to India.
Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is currently in exile in India, was recently sentenced to death in absentia over her role in last year’s deadly crackdown on a student-led uprising.
“People have gathered here demanding the swift arrest of those who killed Hadi,” 20-year-old student protester Sajid Al Adeeb told AFP in Dhaka on Friday. He alleged that the attackers were “currently in India”, a claim that New Delhi has not responded to.
“I urge the government to take immediate and appropriate steps to arrest those responsible,” he added. “Above all, I want Hadi’s ideals to live on.”
Thousands took to the streets of Dhaka, waving national flags and holding placards as they chanted slogans calling for justice. Parallel protests were also reported in Gazipur, Sylhet and Chattogram.
Late on Thursday night, unrest intensified as protesters set fire to several buildings in the capital, including the offices of leading newspapers Prothom Alo and the Daily Star.