Parents demand evacuation of students
Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, June 15: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said that the Government of India is taking necessary steps to safeguard the Indian students stuck in war-torn Iran.
Around 1300 Kashmiri students are studying in various Medical Colleges in Iran and their parents back home are worried over the emerging situation in the region after the Israeli attack on Iran.
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Omar said that he spoke with the Minister of External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar regarding safety of the Kashmiri students in Iran and was assured necessary measures.
“Just spoke to @DrSJaishankar regarding the situation in Iran, particularly the welfare & safety of Kashmiri students in the country. The Minister assured me that @MEAIndia is in close contact with their counterparts in Iran & will take all necessary steps to safeguard all Indian students in Iran,” the Chief Minister wrote on X.
Earlier CM’s office posted on X: “I’m in touch with @MEAIndia regarding the evolving situation in Iran, particularly with regard to the students from Kashmir in Tehran, Shiraz, Qom & other cities. They, in turn, are in close contact with the authorities in Iran.”
“A decision to evacuate, if necessary, will be taken based on the ground situation keeping the safety & security of these students as the primary consideration. We will keep everyone informed as the situation develops,” read another post from the CM office.
“I assure all the concerned parents of my Government’s close & continuous attention to this important developing situation.”
In the meantime, several parents assembled at Partap Park in Srinagar, urging for immediate steps for the safe return of their children or their relocation to safer areas.
“For the last two days, they were calm and reassuring us that everything was fine. But since this morning, they are in panic. They are traumatized. We urge the Government to ensure their return or shift them to safe locations,” said a parent.
“Our children haven’t slept properly and are in a state of panic. We are equally distressed and haven’t eaten in days. We urge the Government to act, just as it did during the Ukraine crisis, and ensure their safe return.”
They claimed that students from several other countries have already been evacuated, while Indian students continue to wait without any clear information.
In Srinagar, the Divisional Administration Kashmir, along with police today established helplines to compile details of those stranded in Iran and forward them to the concerned authorities.
“It is for the information of the general public that if any students, workers, or individuals from District Srinagar are currently stranded in Iran due to the prevailing situation and require assistance, they or their family members may kindly reach out to District Police Srinagar,” a police statement said.
To facilitate this, dedicated helpline numbers – 9596770550 and 9419411619 – have been set up to collect necessary details and provide assistance.
“District Police Srinagar is committed to provide all possible help to stranded residents and their families. The collected information will be compiled and forwarded to the concerned authorities for timely action.”
A similar helpline has been established by the Anantnag Police, with contact numbers 9596777669 and 9419051940.
Additionally, the Divisional Administration Kashmir has set up a dedicated Control Room at the DC Office Srinagar to assist families of students studying in Iran.
“In view of the current situation in the Middle East, the Divisional Administration has established a dedicated Control Room at the DC Office Srinagar,” officials said.
Parents and guardians can contact the Control Room and share details of their wards through the following numbers: 0194-2483651, 0194-2457543, 0194-2457552, and 9103998355.
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