Bangladesh holds protest march against India

By SM Najmus Sakib

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) - On Wednesday, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) launched a day-long protest march against India, condemning "aggression and disinformation," as well as a recent attack on the Bangladeshi diplomatic mission in Tripura, India.

Supporters of the party gathered in front of BNP's headquarters in Dhaka before starting the so-called long march towards Brahmanbaria district, which is home to the Akhaura land port, located on the border with India's northeastern city of Agartala.

The party stated that at least 2,000 vehicles would support the march to reach the border area of Akhaura, situated approximately 128 kilometers (79.5 miles) from Dhaka.

This march follows a recent attack on the Bangladeshi consulate in Agartala, after which Indian authorities expressed regret and made several arrests.

BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi criticized India for hosting Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, saying: “India is supporting the survival of the bloodthirsty lady (Hasina). Yet India is a democratic country!”

"India does not want the people of Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Maldives, and Sri Lanka to follow their own words. They want them to follow Delhi's words," Rizvi added.

Earlier on Sunday, BNP supporters had also marched towards the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.

Hasina had fled to India on Aug. 5 amid a nationwide student uprising.

After her departure, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus assumed office on Aug. 8.

​​​​​​​On Monday, Bangladesh and India held their first-ever high-level diplomatic meeting in Dhaka.

Yunus also alleged that Hasina's stay in India exacerbated tensions.

Meanwhile, according to local newspaper Prothom Alo, the Indian Coast Guard seized two vessels with 79 Bangladeshi sailors on board while they were fishing near Bangladesh’s territorial waters on Monday.

However, the Indian Coast Guard stated it apprehended two Bangladeshi fishing trawlers and 78 crew members for "unauthorized fishing in Indian waters."