Indian Embassy in Bishkek continues outreach activity with Indian students after mob violence

New Delhi/Bishkek, May 24 (FN Representative) Days after the mob violence targeting foreign students in Bishkek, officials of the Indian Embassy in Kyrgyzstan met Indian medical students in the country’s capital and told them that flights to India are operational, and advised them to contact the Embassy if needed. The move comes a day after the Indian Embassy issued a statement saying that the situation in Bishkek has returned to normal, and that no untoward incident has been reported during the past few days.Last week, Indian students were asked to remain indoors in the wake of the incidents of violence. There are about 17,000 Indian students in the Kyrgyz Republic and most of them are in Bishkek. In posts on X, the Indian Embassy said it has been conducting outreach sessions with Indian students. “Continuing with outreach activity, Embassy Officials met Indian medical students at Royal Metropolitan University on 22 May. They were informed that flights to India from Bishkek were operational, advised to follow university guidelines and contact Embassy, if needed “Embassy Officials met Indian students in Avicenna International Medical University in Bishkek on 22 May to address their concerns. Students were advised to follow the instructions issued by the University. In case of any issue, they were told to contact the Embassy,” it posted.

Last week, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the government is monitoring the welfare of Indian students in Bishkek, following mass demonstrations there after fighting occurred between local residents and foreigners at a hostel in the Kyrgyz capital.The alleged fight happened at a hostel on May 13, and rumors spread on social media. People started gathering last Friday to show dissatisfaction with what they said was the lax treatment of foreigners involved in the fight. However, police said three foreigners were detained on suspicion of hooliganism, a media report said. The Indian Embassy said in a statement on Wednesday: “No untoward incident has been reported in Bishkek during the past few days. There are no restrictions on the movement of transport or people. However, as a measure of precaution, the classes are being conducted in an online mode.” It urged the students and their families not to pay attention to rumours. “The embassy has been working actively with the universities and senior government functionaries to address the concerns of the Indian students. “Students and their families are urged not to pay attention to rumours being spread by some mischievous elements,” it added. The Indian ambassador visited the Jalal Abad State University on May 18 and the international higher school of medicine in Bishkek on Wednesday and interacted with the Indian students there, it said.

“Embassy officials visited the International Medical University and the Eurasian Medical University on May 21 and to the Royal Metropolitan University and to the Avicenna University today to continue this interaction with the students and to address their concerns,” the embassy said. It added that air connectivity between Bishkek and Delhi remains operational and flights to India can also be availed through Almaty, Dubai, Istanbul, Sharjah and Tashkent. The local transport to Manas International Airport in Bishkek remains accessible to Indian students, it said. “As the academic year is coming to a close, prior to travelling back to India, including for summer vacations, all Indian students must contact their respective universities about the formalities required for the completion of their exams,” the embassy said. “In case any assistance is needed, the students are requested to contact the embassy of India in Bishkek,” its said.