Former J&K chief minister and National Conference vice-president, Omar Abdullah Thursday urged External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar to assist the Kashmiri students stuck in Bangladesh.
“Requesting @DrSJaishankar to kindly intervene with theGovernment of Bangladesh to assist these Kashmiri students as best possible,”Omar Abdullah said while tweeting a story by Greater Kashmir on the plight ofthe students stranded in Bangladesh due to lockdown over Covid-19. OmarAbdullah also appealed to the people to stay home in order to break the chainof Covid-19 infection. “#StayHome #BreakTheChain #StayHomeSaveLives,” hetweeted.
In the wake of the Omar Abdullah’s tweet, the ExternalAffairs Minister took up the matter with the High Commission of India inBangladesh to ensure safety of students. The High Commission of India inBangladesh replied from its official twitter handle stating that they were intouch with the college authorities.
“Please be assured that we are in constant touch with thecollege authorities to ensure the safety security and wellbeing of Indianstudents,” @ihcdhaka tweeted.
Greater Kashmir had on Thursday reported that the valleystudents stranded at Benaport for two days had been sent back to their collegesand universities in Bangladesh from the international passenger terminalBenapole Landport, Jashore.
A group of 70 students including boys and girls had earlierleft for Kashmir after their colleges were shut in the wake of Covid-19 spread.
The Government of India ordered for a countrywide lockdownon Monday with curfew at many places to ensure social distancing and people’shome stay. The government also suspended all international and domesticflights, besides sealing borders and entry points. The decision was taken tocontain the epidemic.
In a series of tweets, Omar Abdullah also expressed concernover the Valley students in different states.
“Students trainees, vendors and businessmen from J&K arestranded across States. Since they need to stay put, GoI needs to direct statesto help and find safe accommodation and food for them where required. This willreduce chances of desperate mobility and help to break the chain,” OmarAbdullah tweeted.
Five female students of Valley were stuck at the GlocalUniversity in Saharanpur Tehsil Behat. They were facing dearth of essentialcommodities and other basic needs.
Soon after Omar Abdullah’s tweet, the Deputy Chief ofRajasthan Sachin Pilot tweeted that Kota district officials and local policewere in touch with these students. “They will be provided transport,accommodation and meals. And also to all other such stranded students from allover the country,” Sachin Pilot tweeted.