Published May 23, 2024 | 3:50 PM ⚊ Updated May 23, 2024 | 3:50 PM
Kyrgyzstan flag. (Wikimedia)
The situation in Bishkek has returned to normal, the Indian embassy in the Kyrgyzstan capital said on Wednesday, 22 May, days after mobs targeted foreigners in the city triggering concerns over Indian students there.
Last week, India asked its students in Bishkek to stay indoors following the incidents of violence.
At present, about 17,000 Indian students are in the Kyrgyz Republic and most of them are in Bishkek and are primarily pursuing MBBS.
Targeted violence broke out in Bishkek after videos of a fight between Kyrgyz students and those from Egypt and Pakistan went viral on social media on 13 May.
The locals, alleging lenient treatment of foreign students, have been targeting foreigners, especially, Indians and Pakistanis.
The students had been holed up in their hostel rooms or self-arranged accommodations in the city, reportedly without enough food or other essentials.
Speaking with South First, a fourth-year MBBS student, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed the normal situation.
“We are relying on the contractors, who are helping us book the tickets for the flights they are arranging. Compared with original websites, the prices are about ₹7,000-8,000 high.”
Further explaining the situation, the student added, “But the flights are arranged to Delhi with 136 seat capacity. We are leaving one by one.”
“The embassy has been concerned about the recent incidents of violence against foreign students in Bishkek. However, due to swift action by the Kyrgyz authorities, the situation in Bishkek has returned to normal,” the Indian mission said in a statement.
“No untoward incident has been reported in Bishkek during the past few days. There are no restrictions on the movement of transport or people. However, as a measure of precaution, the classes are being conducted in an online mode,” it said.
The embassy urged the students and their families not to pay attention to rumours.
“The embassy has been working actively with the universities and senior government functionaries to address the concerns of the Indian students.”
Two helplines 0555710041 and 0555005538 have been functional 24×7 where students can continue to reach out to the Embassy for all kinds of assistance,” it said.
“Students and their families are urged not to pay attention to rumours being spread by some mischievous elements,” it added.
A student, who spoke to South First earlier over WhatsApp from Bishkek, said the situation was alarming.
“Right now, speaking to you, we are keeping the volume low. There are group of armed people around the hostel. We are told to leave but the tickets are expensive. We need affordable special flights,” he said without revealing his name.
The student said he hailed from Uttar Pradesh. He blamed the consultancies for not briefing them about the possible dangers.
Another student from Telangana’s Mahaboobnagar, too, said the situation was dangerous. He said the locals have been unfriendly.
The student said Indian students faced harassment since the beginning of their college. “We are subjected to name-calling, racial slurs and are not allowed to use pressure cookers in our rooms, as locals knock on our doors if they hear any noise,” he said.
The Indian ambassador visited the Jalal Abad State University on 18 May and the International Higher School of Medicine in Bishkek on Wednesday and interacted with the Indian students there, it said.
“Embassy officials visited the International Medical University and the Eurasian Medical University on 21 May and to the Royal Metropolitan University and to the Avicenna University today to continue this interaction with the students and to address their concerns,” the embassy said.
It further said that air connectivity between Bishkek and Delhi remains operational and flights to India can also be availed through Almaty, Dubai, Istanbul, Sharjah and Tashkent.
The local transport to Manas International Airport in Bishkek remains accessible to Indian students, it said.
“As the academic year is coming to a close, prior to travelling back to India, including for summer vacations, all Indian students must contact their respective universities about the formalities required for the completion of their exams,” the embassy said.
“In case any assistance is needed, the students are requested to contact the embassy of India in Bishkek,” its said.
(With inputs from PTI and Deepika Pasham)
