Seek UN Peacekeeping help for Agartala mission security: Rizvi urges govt

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Rizvi Ahmed today urged the interim government to seek assistance from United Nations Peacekeeping to ensure security of the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala.

"India's law enforcement agencies have failed to provide security to our High Commission. Officials and employees of the Bangladesh mission are feeling insecure," Rizvi said during a press conference at the party's Nayapaltan office.

He also said, "In this situation, the interim government should seek help from UN peacekeeping forces."

Rizvi also alleged that certain extremist religious groups, "instigated by India's BJP", were attempting to create instability in Bangladesh.

He said, "It is unfortunate that these small extremist groups are trying to disrupt peace. We urge the interim government to control these extremists."

However, he urged the Indian leaders to focus on their internal affairs.

"We urge Modi [Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi] and Mamata [West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee] to manage their own issues. Here in Bangladesh, all communities live in peace," he added.

Bangladesh has no hostility toward India's general people, he added.

"As neighbours, we extend the hand of friendship, but if hostility is shown, the people of Bangladesh will not accept it," he said.

He further said, "Anyone who feels insecure should inform the government, and the government will take appropriate measures."

The BNP leader also appealed to international human rights organisations to investigate alleged minority persecution in Indian states.

"We urge them to probe these incidents and take strict action against the perpetrators," he said.

After the press conference, the leaders and activists of BNP and its affiliated organisations staged a protest march in response to the recent attack on the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission at Agartala.

The march, which began around 1:00pm from the party's office in Nayapaltan, witnessed a large turnout of BNP supporters.