Scores of Kashmiristudents returning from Bangladesh amid COVID-19 outbreak have been leftstranded at the country’s border with India, hoping the authorities wouldevacuate them.
Greater Kashmirreceived distress calls and emails from the students who are waiting atinternational passenger terminal Benapole Landport, Jashore. “We were asked tovacate hostels by the college administration in Bangladesh. But, we were notallowed to enter Indian side and we are stuck at the border from past manyhours,” the students said.
They said theirtickets from Kolkata to Delhi were also confirmed but still they are notallowed to move ahead. “We are literally on road, help us, save us, we are onverge of death,” urges a student.
The students saidthey cannot go back to Bangladesh as they have already reached the Kolkataborder.
“We can’t stayhere as it is too risky. We appeal to the Indian government and the JKgovernment to intervene into the matter and help us to reach our homes inKashmir,” the distressed students said, in an email.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang Kondbarao Pole expressed helplessness, saying that all the borders were sealed in view of Coronavirus outbreak. “It is very difficult for the students to return now. They should contact Principal resident commissioner in New Delhi to register their grievance,” he said.