Recently, Bharat has expressed its continued worry about the safety of foreign students in Kyrgyzstan following a series of violent incidents. However, reassuring news arrives as the situation in the capital city of Bishkek appears to have stabilized because of action by local authorities.
The Bharatiya embassy in Kyrgyzstan has confirmed that there have been no further untoward incidents reported in Bishkek over the past few days. Movement restrictions have been lifted, allowing transportation and people to move freely. Nonetheless, as a precautionary measure, classes are still being conducted online.
The recent wave of violence erupted when mobs targeted foreign nationals, particularly students, resulting in injuries to 29 individuals. These attacks were believed to be in retaliation for an earlier altercation involving Kyrgyz and Egyptian students on May 13.
"The Embassy has been concerned at 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. No untoward incident has been reported in Bishkek during the past few… pic.twitter.com/pKLy6Imhqp
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 22, 2024
Bharat, which sees a significant number of its students pursuing education in Kyrgyzstan annually, had advised its students to remain indoors following the violence. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties among Bharatiya students.
The Bharatiya embassy has been actively engaged with universities and local authorities to address the concerns of Bharatiya students. Ambassador Arun Kumar Chatterjee visited several universities in Kyrgyzstan, including Jalal-Abad State University and the International Higher School of Medicine, to interact with Indian students and address their worries.
To provide assistance and support, the embassy has established helplines that operate round the clock for students to reach out for any form of assistance. In addition, embassy officials have visited various universities to further ensure the safety and well-being of Bharatiya students.
Despite the recent unrest, air connectivity between Bishkek and New Delhi remains operational. Flights to Bharat are also available via several other cities, including Almaty, Dubai, Istanbul, Sharjah, and Tashkent. Moreover, local transport to Manas International Airport in Bishkek is accessible for Indian students.
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As the academic year draws to a close, Bharatiya students are advised to communicate with their respective universities regarding exam formalities before traveling back to Bharat, including for summer vacations.
While concerns linger regarding the safety of foreign students in Kyrgyzstan, the recent statements from the Bharatiya embassy offer some relief as the situation in Bishkek returns to normalcy. With continued vigilance and support from authorities, efforts are underway to ensure the well-being of all students, including those from Bharat, studying in Kyrgyzstan.
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