Police now say protest was at Saudi embassy over visa delays

Protestors took to the streets in Jamuna Future Park in Pragati Sharani of the capital on Monday (9 October), protesting delays in getting visas for Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi Arabia embassy is located near the road where the protest was taking place. The same compound also houses the Indian High Commission.

Rajon Kumar Shaha, assistant commissioner of Badda zone, told The Business Standard that people took position in front of the visa centre around 3:30pm protesting the delay in visa approvals.

Police talked to the people who were gradually dispersed from the area after about 10-15 minutes.

Amrita Paul, a resident, told The Business Standard that some agitated people were seen blocking the road in front of Jamuna Future Park.

"They were expressing their dissatisfaction over delays in visa approval. How ridiculous, blocking the road over this issue," he said. 

Police had also earlier claimed that the protests were over delays in getting the Indian visa. 

"As both the embassies are in the same compound, there was a misunderstanding," he added.

Protestors claimed that the visa processing now takes months, and often, visas are rejected without citing any reason.

*This article first appeared under the headline "Indian visa applicants take to streets protesting delay in visa approvals". The headline was later edited, reflecting the changing circumstances.