Kyrgyzstan Violence: India and Pakistan urged students in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, “to stay indoors” on Saturday in response to reports of mob violence targeting foreign students. Although the Indian Embassy in Kyrgyzstan declared that the “situation is presently calm,” the Pakistani mission reported that several medical university hostels in Bishkek, housing students from Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, had been targeted during the violence.
Embassies Issue Safety Advisory to Students
“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. Our 24×7 contact number is 0555710041,” the India in Kyrgyz Republic said in a post on X.
The warning is given in the midst of reports that violence has resulted in attacks on a few medical university hostels in Bishkek that house students from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India. Approximately 10,000 students from Pakistan and 14,500 from India attend the Central Asian country at the moment.
Tensions Rise Over South Asian Migrant Population
Media reports suggested that tensions over the large number of South Asian migrants in Kyrgyzstan appeared to be the cause of the violence. According to Kaktus Media, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kyrgyzstan is stepping up its oversight of foreign nationals who break immigration laws and toughening up on them. The situation escalated, according to a social media advisory from Pakistan’s Embassy in Bishkek, after footage of a fight between Egyptian and Kyrgyz students on May 13 went viral on Friday.
Social Media Rumors Spark Public Outcry
Social media rumours claimed that an altercation took place at a hostel. People started congregating on Friday to voice their displeasure with what they believed to be the foreigners’ lenient treatment. Nonetheless, according to AKIpress, police claimed that three foreign nationals were held on suspicion of hooliganism. In a video, the suspects expressed their willingness to accept their punishment and apologized for the fight.
Pakistani Prime Minister Expresses Concerns Over Bishkek Situation
The prime minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, has also conveyed his “deep concerns” about the circumstances in Bishkek. He has instructed his envoy 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,” Sharif said in a post on X.