New Delhi:
India and Pakistan have issued advisories to students in Kyrgyzstan, urging them to stay home amid mob violence against foreign students.
“As soon as information about the incident was received, law enforcement agencies of the Kyrgyz Republic took prompt measures to arrest those involved in the event, both foreign citizens and citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic” , the Indian consulate said in a message on X (formerly Twitter).
“The situation was entirely under the control of the security forces. The security of citizens and public order were ensured,” the statement added.
Foreign Minister S Jaishankar has advised all Indian students in the Kyrgyz capital to stay in regular touch with the embassy.
What is happening in Bishkek
Pakistan today issued a warning to students in Kyrgyzstan after several incidents of violence against Pakistani students.
Kyrgyz police said they had mobilized forces in the Central Asian country’s capital to quell violence in which hundreds of Kyrgyz men attacked hostels housing Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi students.
Police in riot gear were deployed as large crowds gathered in anger following an alleged brawl between locals and foreigners, the Times of Central Asia reported.
Videos posted on social media showed the crowds breaking doors and beating international students.
Pakistan said it had set up emergency lines for those affected by the violence. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed concern over the incident in a statement, saying Islamabad would immediately repatriate any Pakistani citizen wishing to leave the country.
Social media posts claimed that three Pakistani students were killed and several women were raped, but the government denied such reports.
“Despite social media posts reporting alleged deaths and rapes of Pakistani students, so far we have not received any confirmed information,” the Pakistan consulate said in a statement.
Why have tensions intensified?
According to local media, tensions escalated after videos of a fight between Kyrgyz students and foreign students, including Pakistani and Egyptian, went viral on social media. The fight, which occurred on May 13, was seen by the local population as a blatant violation of the hospitality extended to foreign students.
Several Kyrgyz personnel took to the streets Friday evening, alleging “lenient treatment” by authorities toward foreigners involved in the fighting. Police, however, said they arrested three students as soon as they received reports of the May 13 fight.
Violent mobs began targeting medical university dormitories where international students from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh were housed.
Why Indian Students Choose Kyrgyzstan
The number of Indian students in Kyrgyzstan is estimated at around 15,000, according to news agency PTI. It was not immediately clear how many of them are in Bishkek.
The country, along with Russia, Ukraine and Bangladesh, is a popular destination among Indian students wishing to pursue an MBBS.
The affordability and quality of medical education promised in universities in Kyrgyzstan is what attracts Indian medical aspirants and other international students.
Furthermore, the degrees awarded by the country’s colleges are recognized internationally as well as by the World Health Organization (WHO).
According to a recent advisory issued by the Centre, Kyrgyzstan is a safe, secure and friendly country, especially towards Indian nationals. There is a lot of goodwill for India, the statement said.
News Source : www.ndtv.com
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