Parents of Madhya Pradesh students studying in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, have urged the national government to guarantee their children’s safe return in the wake of allegations of clashes between locals and international visitors.
In a interview with PTI on Tuesday, Alka Solanki, whose son Raj is a medical student in the country, said, “My son is scared because of what has happened in the country in the last two days. I only want my son to return home safely with other students… They are scared,” she said.
Chen Singh Choudhary, a father whose son Yogesh is pursuing an MBBS in the capital of Kyrgyzstan, pleaded with the prime minister to see to it that the students return.
“We request Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister Mohan Yadav to ensure the safe return of the students” Choudhary told PTI.
“My son and other students are scared because of the situation in Bishkek. I want my son to return home safely,” said Leena Sarathe, whose son Ravi is a third-year medical student.
Up to 15,000 Indian students are reportedly studying in Kyrgyzstan. Earlier this week, fights broke out between some locals and foreigners in the nation’s capital, prompting India to ask its students there to stay indoors. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also advised students to maintain regular contact with the Indian embassy.
Meanwhile, the Indian embassy in Kyrgyzstan stated that it was in contact with the students and that the situation was calm. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kyrgyzstan also stated that the situation in Bishkek is under control. Kyrgyzstan is a popular destination for medical education, drawing students from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
“We are in touch with our students. The situation is presently calm but students are advised to stay indoors for the moment and get in touch with the Embassy in case of any issue,” the statement said. The embassy also provided a helpine number. “Our 24×7 contact number is 0555710041.”
Additionally, the Kyrgyzstani minister of foreign affairs declared that Bishkek’s situation is under control.
Many students from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India are drawn to Kyrgyzstan, which is a well-liked place for medical study. Foreign students, particularly those from India and Pakistan, have been threatened by locals in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, throughout the past few days, which has resulted in widespread mob violence.
The violence broke out after a brawl between foreign students and residents, notably Pakistanis and Egyptians, inside a dormitory, according to reports from the area. On social media, videos of the altercation—which is said to have happened on May 13—went viral.
(With information from PTI.)