Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 16: The Indian Embassy in war torn Iran today shifted hundreds of Indian students, mostly Kashmiris, to safer places ahead of their proposed evacuation from the country.
A stranded student in Iran told Excelsior that 440 Indian students in Tehran, which has been the prime target of Israeli bombing, have been shifted to Qom, 150 kilometres from the capital city. They are mostly from Tehran University of Medical Sciences colleges including Shaheed Beheshti Medical College.
Another group of over 200 students mostly studying in Urmia have been shifted to the Armenian border. They have been asked to wait for a week there and if the situation improves, they will be shifted back to their respective colleges and in case the war escalates they will be evacuated.
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In the meantime, dozens of worried parents today held a peaceful sit-in protest at Cariappa Park in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, demanding the safe return of their children stranded in the conflict-hit country.
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Carrying placards and photos of their children, the parents urged the Government of India to take urgent steps to evacuate the students. Most of the stranded individuals are pursuing higher education in Iran and now face increasing danger due to the ongoing unrest. “We have not spoken to our children for days. We just want the government to act quickly before things get worse,” one protesting parent said.
While the protest remained peaceful, emotions ran high. Some parents sat quietly, while others wept, holding signs that read “Bring Them Home” and “Save Our Children.” Members of civil society and local activists also joined the protest in solidarity.
The protestors submitted a memorandum to the local administration, addressed to the Ministry of External Affairs, urging immediate steps for the safe evacuation of the students. They also called for better coordination with the Indian Embassy in Tehran.
With the situation getting worse with each passing day, the safety of foreign nationals, especially students, has become a growing concern. “We appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the External Affairs Minister to act without delay. Every moment of silence increases our fear,” another parent said.
Local officials assured the protesters that they would forward their concerns to higher authorities and said they are closely monitoring the situation.
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