By India Today News Desk: Bangladesh will no longer provide extra security cover to Indian envoys and other top diplomats from the United States, the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia during their movements in the country. Although the normal security protocols will be in place, the “extra security escort” will be withdrawn.
Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Tuesday said that Dhaka will not spend the taxpayers’ money on the “extra security escort” for diplomats.
“We won’t provide this extra (security) escort service with taxpayers’ money,” said Bangladesh’s foreign minister as quoted by the United News of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a letter to the four embassies regarding the decision a week ago, as per a report by the Dhaka Tribune.
The extra security cover was provided to the diplomats of the four countries after the militant attack in a Dhaka restaurant in 2016. Twenty people – 17 foreigners including an Indian girl – were killed in the attack.
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The security measure consisted of policemen equipped with riot gear, escorting the envoys in their vans.
“The additional security protocol we were providing to ambassadors and high commissioners of some particular countries has been withdrawn. But the normal security measures for them are in place,” a diplomatic security division official of Dhaka Metropolitan Police said on Tuesday as per news agency PTI.
REASON BEHIND WITHDRAWAL
Several other embassies other than the four were also demanding the extra security measures. This is one of the reasons why Bangladesh took the decision to withdraw the extra protocols. Dhaka Police Commissioner Khandker Golam Faruq also said that another reason is the shortage of manpower, reported PTI.
However, if any country wished to continue the extra security measures, they can rent such services. The Indian embassy has not made any comments on the withdrawal of extra security measures for its diplomats in Bangladesh.