tripura-hotels-ban-bangladeshis-over-attack-on-hindus

Amid the strain in diplomatic ties between India and its eastern neighbouring country, hotels in Tripura will not accept bookings from tourists from Bangladesh. 

 

Restaurants, too, will not serve meals to them, said a statement issued by the All-Tripura Hotels and Restaurants’ Owners’ Association (ATHROA) on Monday.

 

The statement came hours after a security breach at the office of the Assistant High Commission of Bangladesh in Tripura’s capital Agartala. 

 

Hundreds of protesters took out a massive rally, protesting the arrest of the ISKCON monk in Bangladesh as well the attack on minorities in the neighbouring country. 

 

They staged a demonstration in front of Bangladesh’s establishment in a rented house.

 

“Six of the demonstrators were allowed to enter the premises of the Commission’s office to submit a memorandum. Shortly after the delegation entered the office to meet the Assistant High Commissioner, the demonstrators overpowered the security personnel guarding the main gate and entered the premises,” said an officer of the intelligence bureau in Agartala.

 

Saikat Bandyopadhyay the general secretary of ATHROA said the decision of not allowing Bangladeshis in hotels and restaurants was a response to increasing concerns over the situation in Bangladesh. 

 

“We are a secular country and have respect for all religions. But the desecration of our national flag in Bangladesh cannot be tolerated,” said Bandyopadhyay.

 

On the other hand, in a statement issued by the external affairs ministry of Bangladesh’s interim government, the local police personnel, who were in-charge of the security of the establishment, were found to be “not active”.

 

“The protesters were allowed to enter the premises, by breaking down the main gate of Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in a pre-planned manner. In the presence of the members of the local law enforcement agencies, they vandalised the flag pole, desecrated the national flag of Bangladesh and also damaged the properties inside the Assistant High Commission. Regrettably, the local police persons present in charge of protecting the premises were found not to be active in containing the situation from the beginning,” the statement added.