Violence in Kyrgyzstan
External Affairs Minister Subramaniam Jaishankar on May 18, 2024, said that he is monitoring the situation in Bishkek amid reports of violence targeting foreign students coming in from Kyrgyzstan. The Indian Embassy in Kyrgyzstan issued the advisory after reports of Indian and Pakistani students being injured during mob attacks on their hostel.
The Consulate reassured the students stating that “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.” Indian foreign minister S Jaishankar urged students to maintain regular contact with the embassy, He said, “Monitoring the welfare of the Indian students in Bishkek, situation is calm now. Strongly advised students to stay in regular touch with the Embassy.
Reportedly, there have been several incidents of mob violence against students in Bishkek. The main reason behind this violence is attributed to a clash between locals and international students, at a hostel according to local media reports. Some of the demonstrators obstructed traffic and vandalised buildings leading to several arrests by the security forces.
The Pakistani Embassy said, that the situation intensified after videos of fight between Kyrgyz and Egyptian students on May 13 went viral online on May 17, 2024. The mob targeted hostels of medical universities in Bishkek where students from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh reside.
It is pertinent to note that Kyrgyzstan is a favoured destination for education particularly in the medical field attracting numerous students from the Indian subcontinent including India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. As of April 2023, the data from various medical universities in Kyrgyzstan show that around 9500 students are currently pursuing their studies there.
Pakistan PM Shahbaz Sharif voiced deep concerns about the situation in Kyrgyzstan’s Bishkek and stated that he had instructed the country’s envoy there to provide all necessary help and assistance to the students. “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,” he wrote on X.
“So far, a few hostels and medical universities in Bishkek and private residence of international students including Pakistanis have been attacked the hostels are inhabited by students from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, there have been reports of light injuries to several students from Pakistan, the Pakistan’s Kyrgyzstan said in a post on X. Despite the social media posts about the alleged rape and death of Pakistani students, so far, we have not received any conformation report, it added.
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