Security tightened at Ramakrishna Mission

Law enforcers have tightened security at the Ramakrishna Mission and Ramakrishna Math in Dhaka after its chief got a death threat in a letter received on Wednesday. Meanwhile, a senior official of the Indian High Commission visited the RK Mission on Friday morning to review security. On the other hand, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it had contacted Bangladesh over the matter. MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup told the Indian press that the Dhaka High Commission had contacted both Bangladesh police and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and was assured of full support and protection. Police told the Dhaka Tribune they had deployed additional personnel in Ramakrishna Mission for security. Swami Guru Sebanando Mridul Maharaj, assistant secretary of the mission, who filed a general diary on behalf of the authorities, said that the mission was not afraid of such threats. “After we informed them about the threat, police have taken necessary action,” he told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday. He also said Indian High Commission's First Secretary (Consular) Ramakant Dupta visited the mission on Friday morning to review security. Several political leaders and senior police officials also visited the organisation. “Our activities are running as usual, but those entering the mission and the Math are being searched,” Swami Sebanando said. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a follower of RK Mission and visited the centre in Dhaka last year  — one of the few non-governmental engagements he had during his two-day visit to Bangladesh. Dhaka metropolitan police (DMP) Wari division Deputy Commissioner Syed Nurul Islam said: “We have received the threat letter. Our officers are going to Gazipur and Kishoreganj to investigate.” They take necessary action about the security aspect. They were looking into the incident, he added. The letter, sent by one AB Siddique of “Islamic State of Bangladesh (secret agent),” mentioned the recipient as the top religious leader of Ramakrishna Mission, but it did not have his name. The writing pad had Eidgah Market at Chandana intersection of Gazipur as its address. “This is an Islamic country and you will not be allowed to preach Hinduism here,” it said. It said the chief would be hacked to death inside his residence between June 20 and 30.