MEA rejects Bangladesh claims, condemns PoJK brutalities

India on Friday dismissed accusations from Bangladesh's interim administration over recent violence in Khagrachhari, strongly criticised Pakistan's actions in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), and confirmed the resumption of direct flights with China later this month.

- TDG NETWORK

At the weekly media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal rejected remarks by Bangladesh's Home Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury that sought to link New Delhi to the Khagrachhari unrest.

"We categorically reject these false and baseless allegations. The interim government of Bangladesh is unable to maintain law and order and has a habit of routinely trying to shift the blame elsewhere," Jaiswal said. He urged Dhaka to "introspect and conduct serious investigations into the actions of local extremists committing violence, arson and land grabs against minority communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts."

Khagrachhari has remained tense since Sunday after clashes erupted between tribal residents and Bengali settlers following the alleged gang rape of a tribal girl. The violence left several dead and dozens injured, including 13 army personnel and three policemen. Authorities imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144, but sporadic clashes continued, forcing many residents indoors.