Shawdesh Desk:

The government of Bangladesh has expressed deep concerns over the mob violence on the night of May 17, 2024, in the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek.

‘We have conveyed our concerns to Kyrgyzstan. Our students also came under attack but no one was severely injured,’ foreign minister Hasan Mahmud told reporters on Sunday.

He said that they were closely monitoring the situation through the Embassy in Uzbekistan, currently accredited to the Kyrgyz Republic.

The embassy is in constant communication with Bangladeshi students who are currently studying in Kyrgyzstan, as well as with Kyrgyz government officials.

There are no reports of any serious injury or casualty among Bangladeshi students so far.

The Embassy has already shared an emergency contact number on its official Facebook page.

Through the embassy in Uzbekistan, the government is coordinating with the relevant authorities of Kyrgyzstan, including the ministries of foreign affairs and internal affairs, to ensure the safety and security of Bangladeshi students.

‘We are closely and constantly monitoring the developments. We have asked our Ambassador stationed in Tashkent to visit Bishkek soon to inquire about the wellbeing of Bangladeshi students,’ said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement.

Meanwhile, Bangladeshi students, currently living in the Kyrgyzstan capital, want to return home for few weeks, though the situation is ‘under control’,’as per the local authorities.

They want to attend regular classes online for the time being.

‘The situation is under control. We are trying to return to Bangladesh, but we do not have a flight schedule. All Bangladeshi students are trying to return home for the time being,’ Bangladeshi medical student Samia Kabir told UNB.

She said that the university authorities told them that their classes would be conducted online.

Regarding their exams, Samia said that the university authorities would issue a notice soon.

She also said that students from other countries were also leaving Kyrgyzstan.

‘Even though the situation is under control, we still don’t feel safe here. It would be better if chartered flights can be arranged soon,’ Samia said.

The embassy of Bangladesh in Uzbekistan, concurrently accredited to the Kyrgyz Republic, has said the situation in Kyrgyzstan is under control, as per information released by the relevant state authorities.

However, Bangladeshi students have been advised to stay indoor for the moment and get in touch with the embassy for any issue in this regard at the following 24×7 emergency number: +998930009780.

The embassy of Bangladesh in Uzbekistan is in communication with Bangladeshi students in Kyrgyzstan, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka on Saturday night.

The embassy is also in touch with Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on this matter.

‘Till now, we have information that Bangladeshis are unhurt,’ a Bangladeshi diplomat stationed in Uzbekistan told UNB.