Telangana students still on the edge as violence continues in Kyrgyzstan capital

HYDERABAD: Indian students in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan continue to be on the edge in the aftermath of violent attacks on foreign students there by the locals.
“The locals attempted to enter the campus but were prevented by police who came in. The security was also increased,” an Indian student at a university in Bishkek told TOI on Monday. He said in the incident on Sunday, to protect the students, the security had been increased.The student said there have been incidents of Pakistan students being attacked in the city.
Another student told TOI that the situation was tense but the Indian students were safe. A girl student, however, expressed concern over the situation saying that though there was security, it was obvious the mobs who were still moving around might target anyone they saw outside.
In an incident on Kyrgyz State Medical Academy where there are Indian students also studying, there have been instances of intrusion. “The situation is not under control,” a student said. However, the Indian embassy in Kyrgyz Republic said the situation in Bishkek was normal and all Indian students were safe and requested the students to follow the guidelines prescribed by the Kyrgyz Republic. It also said the embassy could be contacted by the students if they had issues.
The Embassy has also clarified about a fake letter which was being circulated as having been written by the Ambassador to rectors. “No such letter has been issued by the Embassy of India,” the Embassy clarified.
Former minister T Harish Rao has urged Union minister for external affairs S Jaishankar and Telangana chief minister A Revanth Reddy and the Indian Embassy in Bishkek to take immediate action to ensure the safety of Telangana students.
“The severity of the situation demands robust intervention to prevent further harm and to reassure the families of the students about their safety,” Harish Rao said.
Harish Rao said several students had been injured in the violent incidents targeting Indian students in Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan. “The situation has rapidly deteriorated with locals targeting foreign students, including those from India,” he said.
The All India Dental Students Association has also urged the govt to ‘act decisively to safeguard the students’. The association asked for enhanced security measures and immediate coordination with Kyrgyzstan authorities for Indian students, both within the university premises and in the city. It asked for swift action to locate any missing students. It also said for regular updates to the students and their families about the measures being taken and the current status of the situation.