Hindu nationalists attempt to besiege Bangladesh mission in Kolkata: Report

A group of Hindu nationalists launched a march to besiege the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata on Saturday, in what would be the second such attempt this month. 

The right-wing activists of Bangasena engaged in scuffles and pushes with police, who blocked their movement mid-way, before leaving the site, reports HIndustan Barta.

They launched the march, demanding an end to attacks on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh and security measures, creation of an independent state for Hindus, and release of controversial Hindu nationalist leader Chinmoy Krishna Das from custody in Bangladesh.

Bangasena leader Subash Majumder told reporters that the Hindus cannot stay in Bangladesh amid "religious prosecutions." He said he and others had to leave the country in the face of "genocide." Now, those who remain in Bangladesh are facing "daily repressions," he alleged, without providing evidence.

Bangasena launched its "besiege movement" to draw attention of the international community to the plight of Hindus in Bangladesh, he claimed.

Police set up two rows of barricades, and successfully intercepted the protest march 300 yards away from the front gates of the Deputy High Commission, officers said.

After a brief scuffle, the protesters took positions behind the barricade. Traffic in the Park Circus area, where the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission is located, and nearby areas was disrupted due to the protest.

No representative from the protesters could meet diplomats or submit a memorandum of demands as Saturday marked the public holiday.

Earlier on 3 October, two other right-wing groups also tried to besiege the diplomatic mission to press for the same demands. They managed to submit a memorandum on that occasion.