New Delhi: Indian students in Kyrgyzstan have been advised to “stay indoors” by the embassy after violent protests reportedly broke out in Bishkek Friday night, as local residents showed their ire against the growing number of migrants from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other countries.
“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. Our 24×7 contact number is 0555710041,” the Indian embassy on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
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. Our 24×7 contact number is 0555710041.
— India in Kyrgyz Republic (@IndiaInKyrgyz) May 18, 2024
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also urged Indian students to stay “in regular touch” with the embassy, and said that he was “monitoring the welfare” of the students in Bishkek. There were about 14,500 Indian students studying in the country as of 2022 according to Ministry of External Affairs estimates.
Protesters started gathering Friday night to show their dissatisfaction with the lax penalties given to foreigners after an alleged brawl broke out on 13 May between Egyptian medical students and local people, according to local media reports.
Rumours began circulating on social media platforms of foreign students being killed in Bishkek as a result of the protests — charges the Kyrgyz Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied in a statement Saturday.
“From the moment information about the incident was received, law enforcement agencies of the Kyrgyz Republic took prompt measures to detain persons involved in the event, both foreign citizens and citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic,” said the Kygryz foreign ministry.
The ministry added: “There are no seriously injured people among the participants of the incident. About 15 citizens applied to medical institutions for medical check-up. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic has not received any reports on the injured foreign citizens.”
Pakistani students affected as well.
The ambassador of Pakistan in Bishkek, Hasan Zaigham, urged students to remain “indoors” in view of the “mob violence” till the situation “returns to normal” in a post on X.
IN VIEW OF MOB VIOLENCE AROUND STUDENT HOSTELS IN BISHKEK,
THE EMBASSY STONGLY ADVISE ALL PAKISTANI STUDENTS IN BISHKEK TO STAY INDOORS UNTIL THE SITUATION RETURN TO NORMAL.
WE ARE LIAISING WITH THE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES TO ENSURE SAFETY OF OUR STUDENT FRATERNITY.
— Hasan Zaigham (@hazaigham) May 17, 2024
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said, “Deeply concerned over the situation of Pakistani students in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. I have directed Pakistan’s Ambassador to provide all necessary help and assistance. My office is also in touch with the Embassy and constantly monitoring the situation.”
Deeply concerned over the situation of Pakistani students in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. I have directed Pakistan's Ambassador to provide all necessary help and assistance. My office is also in touch with the Embassy and constantly monitoring the situation.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) May 18, 2024
The national security chief of Kyrgyzstan, Kamchybek Tashiev, supported the calls of the protestors for the enforcement of domestic law against foreigners, according to local media reports.
In a statement, Tashiev said that over 1,500 Pakistani nationals and 1,000 Bangladeshi nationals have been deported from the Central Asian country for violating domestic laws. He added that over 5,000 foreign nationals have been deported by the government.
(Edited by Rohan Manoj)
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