New Delhi, May 18 (Agency) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday 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 EAM said the situation there is calm now and asked the Indian students to stay in regular touch with the Indian Embassy. “Monitoring the welfare of Indian students in Bishkek. Situation is reportedly calm now. Strongly advise students to stay in regular touch with the Embassy,” he posted on X. The Indian Embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic posted that it is touch with the Indian students: “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.” According to reports, police in riot gear were deployed in parts of the Kyrgyz capital overnight as large crowds gathered in anger over an alleged fight between local and foreign people. The crowds milled around some intersections of Bishkek for hours before dispersing early on Saturday, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs said the situation was stable. Police negotiated with the protesters in order to head off any confrontations.
The alleged fight happened at a hostel on May 13, and rumors spread on social media. People started gathering on 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.“All measures were taken in a timely manner, they were detained, legal measures will be taken against them,” Azamat Toktonaliev, head of Bishkek´s Internal Affairs Directorate, is quoted as saying. The protesters gathered near the intersection of Kurmanjan Datka Street and Chuy Avenue to demand justice in connection with the fighting that occurred between local residents and foreigners at a hostel in the capital on May 13. Some demonstrators blocked traffic and vandalized buildings in the area, breaking glass. Security forces have arrested an unspecified number of individuals in connection with the protest activity and dispersed crowds.