Brigadier General (Retd) M Sakhawat Hossain, adviser for the ministries of shipping as well as labour and employment, has said the Indian high commissioner in Bangladesh will be summoned over Monday’s attack on Bangladesh’s mission in Agartala.
“The Indian High Commissioner will be summoned if he has not already been summoned,” the adviser said on Tuesday while responding to journalists' questions after inspecting the construction work of the Chandpur naval terminal.
He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already expressed strong discontent over the attack on the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala, India.
"We want to live peacefully with our neighbours, but if they provoke conflicts unnecessarily, the people of Bangladesh will not align themselves with such behaviour. Their actions are damaging the friendly relations we have maintained with them and there is no justification for such behaviour."
Sakhawat said: "The religious minorities in our country are our citizens and we take care of their well-being. If certain media outlets continue to propagate such issues or threaten Bangladesh's security, those responsible should refrain from such actions within their own country.
“We aim to maintain a friendly attitude as neighbours, but if Bangladesh continues to face such harassment, let it be remembered that this is a nation of 180 million people, not a small, insignificant state."
The adviser added: "You talk about the issues faced by minorities in our country, but it would be better if you introspect.”
He mentioned that Agartala is very close to Bangladesh and the country never expected such an attack.
“Therefore, I urge their media to exercise restraint, avoid creating unrest, and refrain from inciting their people.”