Why Indian and Pak students at Kyrgyzstan hostels are under attack? Explained

PTC Web Desk: India and Pakistan have issued urgent advisories for their students in Kyrgyzstan, urging them to remain indoors amid escalating mob violence targeting foreign students.

The Indian consulate in Kyrgyzstan announced on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that local law enforcement agencies swiftly detained those involved in the violence, which included both foreign nationals and Kyrgyz citizens. "The situation is completely under control of the security forces. The safety of citizens and public order has been ensured," the consulate assured.

Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar urged all Indian students in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, to stay in regular contact with the Indian embassy. Pakistan has also issued warnings to its students following several violent incidents targeting Pakistani nationals.

Kyrgyz police mobilised forces in Bishkek to quell the violence, where mobs of hundreds of Kyrgyz men attacked hostels housing Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi students. Riot police were deployed as large crowds reacted angrily to an alleged altercation between local and foreign students.

The Times of Central Asia reported that the violence erupted following a brawl between local Kyrgyz students and foreign students, including Pakistanis and Egyptians, which went viral on social media. This incident, occurring on May 13, was perceived by locals as a violation of the hospitality extended to foreign students.

Videos circulating on social media depicted mobs breaking into hostels and assaulting international students. In response, Pakistan set up emergency hotlines for affected students. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep concern over the incidents and stated that Pakistan would arrange immediate evacuation for any citizen wishing to leave Kyrgyzstan.

Despite alarming social media claims suggesting the deaths of three Pakistani students and reports of rape, the Pakistani government has denied these claims. "So far, we have not received any confirmed reports of deaths or rapes," the Pakistan Consulate clarified in a statement.

The tensions escalated following the viral spread of the fight videos. The brawl, involving Kyrgyz and foreign students, incited local outrage over what was seen as lenient treatment of the foreign students involved. The police have since detained three students connected to the May 13 fight.

The violent mobs began targeting medical university hostels known to house international students, further heightening the crisis.

As per information, at least 15,000 Indian students are currently studying in Kyrgyzstan, although the exact number of those in Bishkek remains unclear. Kyrgyzstan, alongside Russia, Ukraine, and Bangladesh, is a favoured destination for Indian students pursuing MBBS degrees due to the affordability and quality of medical education.

Kyrgyzstan's medical universities offer internationally recognised degrees, including recognition by the World Health Organization (WHO), making it an attractive option for international students. The combination of affordable tuition and high-quality education standards has led to a significant influx of Indian medical aspirants.