India suspends visa services in Chittagong amid unrest following youth leader’s killing

I ndia on Sunday indefinitely suspended visa operations at the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) in Chittagong, Bangladesh’s second-largest city, following heightened security concerns after the killing of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi , local media reported.

Hadi, a prominent leader of last year’s student-led protests that led to the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina–led Awami League government , was also a candidate for the February 12 general elections. On December 12, he was shot in the head by masked assailants during an election campaign in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area. The 32-year-old died while undergoing treatment in Singapore on Thursday.

His death triggered widespread unrest and vandalism across Bangladesh, including stone-pelting at the residence of the Assistant Indian High Commissioner in Chattogram on Thursday. The escalating tensions prompted India to suspend all visa-related services at the Chittagong IVAC with effect from December 21 . The centre said operations will remain suspended until further notice, and a decision on reopening will be taken only after a review of the security situation.

Enhanced security measures have also been implemented at the Indian Assistant High Commission and the visa application centre in Sylhet to prevent any exploitation of the unrest, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Media) of the Sylhet Metropolitan Police Saiful Islam told The Dhaka Tribune.

The suspension is expected to affect travel and people-to-people ties . Applicants from southeastern Bangladesh may have to approach other centres, increasing travel time and costs, while business and trade interactions could face delays, particularly given Chittagong’s significance as a major commercial and port city. Cultural, educational, and family exchanges may also see temporary disruption, though authorities emphasise the suspension is a precautionary security measure rather than a political statement.

Hadi was laid to rest on Saturday beside the grave of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam near the Dhaka University mosque under tight security. Tens of thousands attended his funeral prayers, chanting slogans critical of India, reflecting the charged political atmosphere in parts of the country.

Indian authorities have made it clear that the resumption of visa services in Chittagong will depend on the restoration of law and order and assurances that diplomatic and consular staff can operate safely. Until then, all visa-related operations at the port city centre remain suspended.