Though the situation in the Kyrgyzstan capital is “under control,” as per the local authorities, panicked Bangladeshi students want to return home for a few weeks.
They want to attend regular classes online for the time being.
“The situation is under control. We are trying to return to Bangladesh, but we do not have a flight schedule. All Bangladeshi students are trying to return home for the time being,” Bangladeshi medical student Samia Kabir told UNB.
She said the university authorities told them that their classes would be conducted online.
Regarding their exams, Samia said that the university authorities will issue a notice soon.
She also said students from other countries are also leaving Kyrgyzstan.
“Even though the situation is under control, we still don’t feel safe here. It would be better if chartered flights can be arranged soon,” Samia said.
Speaking on the subject, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud told reporters today, “We have conveyed our concerns to Kyrgyzstan. Our students also came under attack, but no one was severely injured.”
The Embassy of Bangladesh in Uzbekistan, concurrently accredited to the Kyrgyz Republic, has said the situation in Kyrgyzstan is under control, as per information released by the relevant state authorities. However, Bangladeshi students have
been advised to stay indoor for the moment and get in touch with the embassy for any issue in this regard at the following 24x7 emergency number: +998930009780.
The Embassy of Bangladesh in Uzbekistan is in communication with Bangladeshi students in Kyrgyzstan, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka on Saturday night.
The embassy is also in touch with Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on this matter.
“Till now, we have information that Bangladeshis are unhurt,” a Bangladeshi diplomat stationed in Uzbekistan told UNB.
Conveyed our concerns to Kyrgyzstan; no Bangladeshi student severely injured”: FM
The Government of Bangladesh has expressed deep concerns over the mob violence on the night of May 17, 2024 in the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek.
“We have conveyed our concerns to Kyrgyzstan. Our students also came under attack but no one was severely injured,” Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud told reporters on Sunday.
He said they are closely monitoring the situation through the Embassy in Uzbekistan, concurrently accredited to the Kyrgyz Republic.
The Embassy is in constant communication with Bangladeshi students who are currently studying in Kyrgyzstan, as well as with Kyrgyz government officials.
There are no reports of any serious injury or casualty among Bangladeshi students so far.
The Embassy has already shared an emergency contact number on its official Facebook page.
Through the Embassy in Uzbekistan, the government is coordinating with the relevant authorities of Kyrgyzstan, including the ministries of foreign affairs and internal affairs, to ensure the safety and security of Bangladeshi students.
“We are closely and constantly monitoring the developments. We have asked our Ambassador stationed in Tashkent to visit Bishkek soon to inquire about the wellbeing of Bangladeshi students,” said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement.
Pakistan repatriates 140 students from Bishkek
Pakistan asked its nationals in Kyrgyzstan to stay indoors after mobs attacked foreigners in the capital Friday night over some unknown dispute with migrants, the Foreign Ministry said Saturday. It also repatriated 140 Pakistani students from Bishkek after the violence.
A special flight bringing the Pakistani students home from Kyrgyzstan landed at an airport on Saturday in Pakistan's eastern city of Lahore, the Interior Ministry said.
Pakistan plans to use more such flights to bring back all those who want to leave Bishkek following the violence in the central Asian country, the ministry added.
According to local media, the violence began last week following a clash between Kyrgyz people and foreigners in the city.
Earlier, Pakistan said its embassy in Bishkek was in contact with the Kyrgyz government to ensure the safety and security of its nationals. Some of the injured Pakistani students were treated at a local hospital in Bishkek, it said.
On Saturday, Pakistan summoned a Kyrgyz diplomat to lodge a protest over the alleged attacks on its nationals.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed his concern over the violence and said he was immediately sending a senior Cabinet minister to Bishkek to supervise efforts to ensure the wellbeing of Pakistan students.
Pakistani authorities say they are unable to confirm if any of their nationals died in the attacks.
Thousands of Pakistanis are studying or working in Kyrgyzstan.
