The External Affairs Ministry here on Wednesday has responded to the letter of Jammu and Kashmir Students Association regarding the safety of Kashmiri students in Kyrgyzstan. In a statement, National Convenor of the Association, Nasir Khuehami, said that the Ministry, in its response to the Association, informed that the situation in Bishkek is now stable. Manas International Airport is accessible, and air connectivity to India is operational with direct flights available.
The Association had earlier requested External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar for the evacuation of Indian students following mob attacks and violence in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. He said that the Ministry informed association through a letter that there are no restrictions on the movement of transport or people. The Ministry also stated that Manas International Airport in Bishkek remains accessible to Indian students and that air connectivity to India is operational. There are direct flights to India from Bishkek and through other cities such as Almaty, Dubai, Istanbul, and Tashkent.
Students have been advised to plan their travel for vacation by commercial flights in consultation with their respective university administrations after completing their exams. The Ministry also informed us that students have already started returning to India using commercial flights. Khuehami mentioned that they have received communication from the Indian Embassy in Bishkek as well. The Ambassador’s office in Bishkek is regularly coordinating with them and has assured them of their full support in case any assistance is needed for Kashmiri students.
Meanwhile, the J&K Students Association thanks the External Affairs Ministry for its timely intervention and prompt response, which has provided immense relief to the students and their families back home. The Association says that students have started returning to India using commercial flights. We thank the Bishkek Embassy officials and the Ambassador for their regular coordination with us and for assuring us of their full support in case any assistance is needed for Kashmiri students.
Both parents and their wards who are studying in Bishkek and other cities of Kyrgyzstan are satisfied with the response and intervention and with the way the Embassy took the issue seriously with the Kyrgyz authorities. “We have been informed that all the students are safe and secure, which has brought great relief to their families,” it said.
