What Decision Tripura Hotel Owners Have Taken Regarding Bangladeshi Visitors

The All Tripura Hotel and Restaurant Owners Association (ATHROA) has announced that Bangladeshi nationals will no longer be accommodated in their hotels, citing the alleged insult to the Indian flag in Bangladesh as the reason for this decision.

ATHROA General Secretary Saikat Bandyopadhyay stated that the resolution was passed during an emergency meeting held by the association. He emphasized that the decision reflects the association’s stance against the disrespect towards India’s national symbol.

“We are a secular country and respect all religions,” Bandyopadhyay said, adding that the disrespect shown to the Indian flag and the ongoing persecution of minorities in Bangladesh by extremist factions have deeply hurt sentiments. “Such incidents have occurred in the past, but the situation has now gone beyond tolerance,” he remarked.

The decision comes amidst heightened tensions following the vandalism of the Deputy High Commission of Bangladesh in Agartala. Responding to this incident, India’s Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement on Monday, calling the events within the commission’s premises “sad and regrettable.”

Pvt healthcare facility also stopped services for Bangladeshi patients 

Last week, one of the largest private healthcare facilities in Agartala decided to stop services for Bangladeshi patients following protests by some local activists over reported atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh and disrespect to the national flag.

Responding to the protests, the Chief Operating Officer of the private hospital, also announced the closure of the hospital’s Bangladesh desk. “As an Indian, I respect and support the sentiments raised by the protesters. Given the ongoing incidents in Bangladesh, we have decided to suspend services for Bangladeshi patients,” he had said.

A private hospital in North Kolkata also recently announced it would discontinue medical treatment to Bangladeshi patients over the same issue.

Traders in Assam to stop business with Bangladesh

Meanwhile, in the Sribhumi district (formerly Karimganj District) of southern Assam, at least 500 traders have announced that they would stop trade (both import and export) with Bangladesh due to the rising violence against minorities and disrespect for the Tricolour in the neighbouring country.

On Monday, the traders assembled at a river port close to Sribhumi town, where some of them set fire to Bangladeshi goods that had previously been shipped here.

The Karimganj District Export-Import Coordination Committee's Amaresh Roy stated that they oppose violence against Bangladesh's religious minorities, including Christians and Hindus. 

According to Roy, the Sribhumi district is home to several trade unions, and the coordination committee serves as a forum for them all. “We have jointly taken the decision and the trade will be discontinued until the normalcy returns in Bangladesh,” he stated.