Bangladesh rejects India’s press note

Bangladesh has said it has “completely rejected” the press note issued by India from New Delhi.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain said on Sunday afternoon, December 21, that while India claimed there was no attempt to breach the security perimeter of the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and that 20 to 25 youths only chanted slogans in protest against the killing of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh, the issue was presented too lightly in India’s press note, which Bangladesh does not accept.

Touhid Hossain said, “Why would a group of just 20 to 25 Hindu extremists be able to enter so deep into a diplomatic zone? This is clearly a violation of diplomatic norms. Presenting the killing of a Bangladeshi citizen as an issue of minority security is irrelevant to us. Bangladesh took necessary measures immediately after the incident.”

He further said that officials inside the High Commission felt security concerns and that adequate security arrangements were not in place. He warned that if the situation worsens, Bangladesh may consider restricting the movement of embassy officials.

Earlier, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said police dispersed the slogan-chanting youths within minutes and reiterated that the security of foreign missions is a priority under the Vienna Convention.