Desk Report: The National Revolutionary Council, a Muslim nationalist political party, has announced plans to besiege the Indian High Commission in Dhaka on Thursday, demanding the expulsion of Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi.

The party announced the programme at a briefing held at its central office in Purana Paltan in the capital on Wednesday afternoon.

Addressing the briefing, party convener Khomeini Ehsan said participants willing to join the protest would gather in front of Confidence Centre near Shahjadpur bus stand at 10:30am on Thursday. They would march towards the Indian High Commission at 11am via Felani Avenue.

Explaining the demand for the high commissioner`s expulsion, Ehsan accused India of continuing to exert undue influence over Bangladesh through alleged killings of Bangladeshis along the border, withdrawal of water from shared international rivers and unequal agreements.

He also alleged that India was allowing ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and other individuals whom the party accused of involvement in the July massacre to continue political activities from Indian territory, describing it as an attempt to reassert Indian dominance over Bangladesh.

The party said the demand for the high commissioner`s expulsion was intended to protest against these issues and send a message to both Bangladesh and India.

Ehsan said the demand was not a sudden move, adding that the organisation had been holding programmes against what it calls Indian hegemony since August.

As part of that campaign, the party besieged the Foreign Ministry on October 1 and issued a 15-day ultimatum, demanding action to curb what it described as the high commissioner`s "viceroy-like" activities.

According to Ehsan, the situation had not improved since the ultimatum was issued. He alleged that political activities by the Awami League from India had continued and that recent developments had heightened tensions.

He also referred to Sheikh Hasina`s reported announcement that she would return in December, claiming that attacks on members of the public had been followed by attacks on police. He described the developments as evidence of a worsening situation.

The party convener said Thursday`s programme would be entirely peaceful and non-violent.

"We want to avoid confrontation and continue our struggle against fascism and domination through democratic and lawful means," he said, expressing hope that law enforcement agencies would extend full cooperation during the demonstration.

The announcement comes amid the party`s campaign for changes in Bangladesh-India relations, particularly over border killings, water-sharing arrangements and political activities involving the former ruling party.

The claims made by the party at the briefing were not independently verified.

Also present at the briefing were National Revolutionary Council Member Secretary Dr Nabil Ahmed, Assistant Member Secretary Abdus Salam, Revolutionary Student Council Convener Abdul Wahed and Member Secretary Fazlur Rahman.