Hotels and restaurants in Tripura have made revisions to their previous ban on Bangladeshi travelers. The All Tripura Hotel & Restaurant Owners’ Association (ATHROA) recently updated its policy regarding visitors from Bangladesh.
On Thursday, the association announced that individuals holding medical visas would now be welcomed and provided with accommodation and services at participating establishments.
In addition, the association rejected the allegations of mistreatment directed at Bangladeshi guests, clarifying that no such incidents had occurred. This policy shift comes after ATHROA’s initial announcement on December 2, which had imposed a ban on serving Bangladeshi nationals in the wake of a controversy involving the disrespect of the Indian flag in Bangladesh.
The policy change follows a series of protests in Agartala, Tripura’s capital, which were sparked by the recent arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh and a series of attacks on Hindu minorities there. These protests also culminated in a breach at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission (AHC) in Agartala, where over 50 demonstrators reportedly entered the premises, raising significant security concerns. The protests led to strong condemnation from India’s Ministry of External Affairs, highlighting the sensitive nature of the issue.
The ongoing diplomatic and social tensions between the two neighbouring countries have added complexity to local decisions, such as the hospitality sector’s stance on Bangladeshi travellers, with the recent changes reflecting a delicate balance between national concerns and maintaining hospitality standards.
