India on Saturday asked its students in Bishkek to stay indoors after the Kyrgyz capital city reported fights between some locals and foreigners.
The Pakistan embassy mentioned that the situation intensified after videos of a fight between Kyrgyz and Egyptian students on May 13 went viral online on Friday. The mob targeted hostels of medical universities in Bishkek, where students from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh reside.
Several Pakistani students studying in capital city of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan faced mob violence late Friday night, sustaining injuries. However, no deaths have been confirmed. Pakistan media reports said the violence followed a scuffle between foreign students, including Pakistanis, and Egyptian nationals. Local mob then went on rampage and targeted hostels of medical universities of students from Pakistan, India and Bangladesh.
It is relevant to note that due to low educational cost, Kyrgyzstan is a favoured destination for education, particularly in the medical field, attracting numerous students from the Indian subcontinent, including India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
Leaders’ response
Amid reports of mob violence targeting foreign students in the Kyrgyz Republic, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that India is monitoring the welfare of Indian students in Bishkek. He advised students to stay in regular touch with the Embassy. The Indian mission in Bishkek has advised students “to stay indoors for the moment. Our 24×7 contact number is 0555710041,” the embassy said in a statement.
“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,” the country’s PM Shehbaz Sharif said in a post on X.
Mob violence in Bishkek is a serious issue that has plagued the city in recent years. It is believed to be caused by a combination of factors, including poverty, unemployment, and a lack of social control. The problem is particularly acute in certain neighborhoods, where gangs and other criminal elements are prevalent.
Factors behind the violence
Despite efforts by the police and the government to tackle the issue, mob violence in Bishkek continues to be a major problem. Some residents have expressed concern that the violence is linked to corruption within the authorities and that officials are turning a blind eye to it for financial gain.
The incident appeared to reflect tension over the presence of migrants, many from South Asia, in Kyrgyzstan.The number of Indian students in Kyrgyzstan is estimated to be around 15,000. It was not immediately known how many of them are in Bishkek.
