New Age | Bangladeshi students are attacked by Kyrgyz mobs

Students from Bangladesh, India and Pakistan were reportedly attacked by violent mobs in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek.

The Pakistan Mission in Bishkek said some hostels of medical universities in Bishkek, housing students from India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, were attacked in the violence that broke out on Friday evening.

The Kyrgyz government said four foreign citizens were arrested in Bishkek on the evenings of May 17 and 18, injuring at least 28 people, including several foreigners, and apparently targeting foreign students and migrants.

The violence sparked diplomatic responses from Pakistan and India, which have warned their students in Bishkek to stay indoors.

The violence erupted after a video purporting to show Kyrgyz students fighting medical students from Egypt on May 13 was shared widely online, according to Radio Free Europe.

On Friday evening, mobs gathered in several locations in Bishkek after social media users claimed that those beaten were Kyrgyz youths.

On Saturday, several Bangladeshi students contacted the news agency asking for help for their safety.

“We are here, five girls from Bangladesh.” We are currently in our apartment. Some people are gathering in front of our apartment. Please help us,” Samia Kabir, one of the Bangladeshi students at the International School of Medicine in Kyrgyzstan, said on Saturday evening.

“We have been asked by the authorities to stay indoors.” “We are hearing noises from other apartments nearby… there are probably some Pakistanis there,” Samia added.

“Our mission in Uzbekistan is investigating the matter. So far we have not received any reports of injuries to Bangladeshis. We are connected to our mission. “We will release a full report soon,” a senior Foreign Ministry official said in Dhaka.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic said in a statement that the situation in Bishkek is currently “completely calm and fully under control.”

“All necessary measures have been taken to ensure security and maintain peace and stability,” it said.

In addition, representatives of the media, the blogger community and foreign colleagues were asked to rely only on official and verified information from the relevant authorities of the Kyrgyz Republic.

The Embassy of Bangladesh in Uzbekistan, which is simultaneously accredited to the Kyrgyz Republic, stated that, according to relevant state authorities, the situation in Kyrgyzstan is under the control of law enforcement agencies.

However, the Bangladeshi students were advised to stay indoors for now and if they have any queries in this regard, they should contact the embassy on the following 24-hour emergency number: +998930009780.

The Embassy of Bangladesh in Uzbekistan is in touch with Bangladeshi students currently studying in the Kyrgyz Republic to discuss the recent incident of mob violence in Bishkek, the Foreign Ministry said in Dhaka on Saturday evening.

The embassy is also in contact with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic on this matter.