Tripura hotels turn down bookings from Bangladesh citizens to protest against atrocities on Hindus

Guwahati: Hotels and restaurants across Tripura on Wednesday stopped catering to Bangladesh citizens as part of their protest against the atrocities on the Hindus and other religious minorities in the neighbouring nation.

This followed All Tripura Hotels and Restaurant Owners' Association's decision on Monday to deny bookings for citizens of Bangladesh.

"We show respect to the guests from Bangladesh but the treatment provided to the minorities in that nation is condemnable. India is a secular nation and we respect all religions. But we are concerned and dismayed over the disrespect shown to the minorities and to our national flag," president of the association, Sumit Saha said in a statement on Monday.

The decision was taken amid brewing tension between the two nations over the growing attacks on the Hindus since the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina government.

Bangladesh reacted angrily on Sunday when protesters in Tripura capital Agartala barged into the premises of the Assistant High Commissioner's office and pulled down the Bangladesh national flag.

The Indian foreign ministry quickly condemned the incident and police in Tripura also arrested seven persons for breach of the envoy's premises. But Bangladesh stopped consular services in Agartala citing the security situation in view of the attack.

Bangladesh also summoned the Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka and conveyed its dismay.

Tripura shares an 857km border with Bangladesh.