Stones Thrown at Indian Assistant High Commission in Bangladesh’s Chittagong

Stones were thrown at the Indian Assistant High Commission in Chittagong on Friday as protests intensified across Bangladesh following the killing of anti-India activist Sharif Osman Hadi, according to police and local media reports. No injuries were reported, and there was no immediate confirmation of structural damage to the diplomatic premises.

The incident occurred late Thursday night amid widespread unrest triggered by the death of Hadi, a prominent figure associated with the July Uprising movement. Protesters gathered near the Indian mission, with some hurling stones in what authorities described as a brief but serious security breach.

Bangladeshi police said the situation was swiftly brought under control, and additional security forces were deployed around the Assistant High Commission to prevent further escalation. Senior officials confirmed that diplomatic staff were safe at all times.

The stone-pelting incident is part of a broader wave of unrest that has swept several cities in Bangladesh following confirmation of Hadi’s death. Protests have included attacks on media houses, vandalism of political landmarks, and confrontations with security forces.

Earlier, mobs torched the offices of leading newspapers in Dhaka, including Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, accusing them of biased reporting related to Hadi and the interim government. Several journalists were also attacked during the unrest.

India has been closely monitoring the situation. In New Delhi, officials reiterated that the safety of Indian diplomatic missions and personnel is a core responsibility of the host government under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. While India has not issued a formal statement specifically on the Chittagong incident, sources said concerns have been conveyed through diplomatic channels.

Anti-India slogans have been raised at multiple protest sites, with demonstrators accusing New Delhi of shielding individuals allegedly linked to Hadi’s killing. In recent days, protesters have demanded the closure of Indian diplomatic missions until their demands are addressed.

Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, has appealed for calm and vowed swift action against those responsible for Hadi’s killing. Yunus has also warned that attacks on foreign missions and media institutions will not be tolerated, stressing the need to maintain law and order ahead of the February 12 general elections.

Security has been tightened around foreign missions in Dhaka and other major cities, including Chittagong, as authorities seek to prevent further incidents that could strain Bangladesh’s diplomatic relations.