Evacuate Kashmiri students stranded in different parts of India, families plead

SRINAGAR — Anxious family members of scores of Kashmiri students stuck in various parts of India on Tuesday pleaded with Lieutenant Governor GC Murmu to promptly arrange for their evacuation from different cities, almost in lockdown.

Dozens of anxious parents were seen waiting at Srinagar Airport for the return of their children but were shocked to learn that flights are not going to land at the Airport.

“My daughter was supposed to land at Srinagar Airport from New Delhi, but here IndiGo officials are telling me flights have been cancelled. Another official said that Srinagar bound IndiGo flight can’t be landed as they are only few passengers,” Ghulam Mustafa from Srinagar said.

There was ruckus at the Srinagar Airport as the anxious parents were seen inquiring about the arrival of flights. “Some flights landed at the Airport but some were cancelled. It is total chaos here and nobody knows what to do,” said another parent, Ghulam Nabi.

A large number of students are stranded in different parts of India. On late Monday evening, Kashmir students stranded at Bengaluru Airport staged a protest, seeking evacuation form the city. Reports also said that over 25 students studying at Ludhiana City University staged protest and are seeking evacuation.

Sajad Ahmed Khan, a student from Kupwara, who studies at Ludhiana City University, said that they are starving as due to lockdown, food is not available to them. “We appeal Jammu Kashmir Government to evacuate us,” he said.

Reports said that over 70 Kashmiri students are stuck at Benapole, on India-Bangladesh border. Their colleges have been shut and they have to return. With country in lockdown, they need to cross-over and reach Valley, but they seem to be helpless.

India has already declared that it is going to suspend all the domestic flights from Wednesday.

Kashmiri students studying in different colleges have been asked by concerned college authorities to stay in hostels. However, these students are unable to procure the food due to unprecedented lockdown.