There seems to be no end to the miseries of Kashmiri students stranded in Bangladesh and elsewhere amid the COVID19 lockdown.
While the students are running out of the daily basics,their parents back in Valley are anxious about health and safety of theirchildren.
A group of students stranded in Bangladesh said on Tuesdaythat the government of the country extended the nationwide shutdown until April11 to stem the spread of coronavirus.
“We are facing difficulties in getting food items and otheressentials. We are feeling caged and want to return to our homes,” a studentsaid.
The distressed parents of these students also urged theJ&K government and government of India (GoI) to evacuate their children.
Most of these students are enrolled in various colleges atRangpur Bangladesh and are pursuing medical courses.
“We appeal J&K government and MEA to facilitate theevacuation of our children from Bangladesh so that they reach home safely. Weare ready to follow all the quarantine process to avoid spread of the COVID19,”another parent said.
Divisional commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang Kondbarao Polesaid the government of India has taken up the matter with Bangladesh and allhostels were open for students who are now living there “comfortably.”
“We have also received their feedback in writing that allthe students are facilitated properly with all basic facility and properaccommodation,” said Pole.
Parents of Valley students who have returned from Tehransaid their children completed 15 days quarantine period in Rajasthan but were notallowed to return to Kashmir.
“Around 20 days passed but the government is mulling toextend their stay in Rajasthan. The students have been shifted to a newlocation,” Gulzar Ahmad, a parent said.
The parents demanded that the students should be airliftedfrom Rajasthan to Kashmir.
The divisional commissioner said the matter has been alreadytaken up with the civil administration to facilitate the students so that theydon’t face any difficulties in getting food and accommodation.
Many students who returned from Pakistan through Punjab havealso completed their quarantine period and despite the Punjab governmentoffering them transport services, the J&K authorities are not allowingtheir entry into Kashmir, several parents said.