Dhaka recalls mission chiefs from Kolkata, Agartala

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has recalled Bangladesh’s Assistant High Commissioner, Arifur Rahman, stationed in Agartala, Tripura, and Acting Deputy High Commissioner, Sikder Md Ashrafur Rahman, based in Kolkata, West Bengal.  

The recall follows escalating tensions, including an attack on the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala and demonstrations outside the Deputy High Commission in Kolkata. 

Both diplomats were instructed to return to Dhaka on short notice earlier this week, according to ministry sources.  

Sikder Md Ashrafur Rahman returned to Dhaka on Thursday and met with Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain to discuss the situation in Kolkata. Arifur Rahman is expected to arrive in Dhaka on Friday.  

The diplomatic recall was prompted by an attack on Monday, allegedly carried out by members of the Hindu Sangharsh Samiti and other groups in Agartala. The protesters accused Bangladesh of persecuting minorities, desecrated the Bangladeshi national flag, and vandalised the mission premises.  

In response to the attack, the Bangladesh government suspended operations at the Agartala mission until further notice, citing security concerns.  

A senior Foreign Ministry official confirmed that both diplomats have been recalled to Dhaka to address the emerging crisis and assess the implications of these incidents on bilateral relations.