J&K students evacuated from Iran get shabby buses, Omar Abdullah takes note
Indian students evacuated from conflict-hit Iran have thanked the Centre for their safe return but criticised the poor transport arrangements made by the Jammu and Kashmir government for their onward journey home from Delhi.Disappointed by the condition of the buses provided, the students said they expected better facilities after enduring days of tension abroad. In a post on X, the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association shared a video showing the poor condition of buses arranged for Iran-returned students.advertisement"After enduring a harrowing 4-day journey from Iran via Armenia & Doha, Kashmiri students have finally reached Delhi, only to be dumped in SRTC buses, unlike students from other states who were received with proper airport facilitation, care, and connecting flights home," the association said in its post.
"Exhausted, distressed, and neglected. is this the reward for their resilience? What's stopping the J&K Govt from stepping up? Logistics? Willpower? Or just apathy? If it's about funds, say it loud, we'll launch a fundraiser for the JK Govt. We've done more with less before, it added.Responding to the backlash, the office of then Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said it had "taken note" of the students' concerns and was working with the Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation to arrange "proper deluxe buses" for their travel.
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A flight carrying 110 Indian students who were evacuated from Iran, transited via Armenia and Doha, arrived in New Delhi after facing some delays last night. Of the 110 students, 90 were alone from Jammu and Kashmir."Approximately 110 Indian students from Urmia Medical University, including 90 from the Kashmir Valley, and others from different Indian states, successfully crossed the border into Armenia on Tuesday. We have spoken to the students, who safely reached the Armenian capital, Yerevan, and were accommodated at their designated hotels," Nasir Khuehami, convenor of Jammu and Kashmir Students Union said.Iran is a preferred destination for Kashmiri students due to affordable education and cultural familiarity. Over 4,000 Indian students are currently studying in Iran, nearly half of them from Jammu and Kashmir, pursuing medicine and other professional courses across cities like Tehran, Shiraz, and Qom.Amaan Azhar, one of the evacuated students, expressed his emotions. Speaking to news agency ANI, he said, "I am very happy. I cannot express in words how happy I am to be finally able to meet my family. The situation in Iran is very bad. The people there are like us; there are small children who are suffering. War is not a good thing. It kills humanity."Amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran, India has intensified measures to safeguard its citizens, particularly students. On June 15, the Indian Embassy in Tehran issued an advisory urging Indian nationals and persons of Indian origin to restrict non-essential movement and stay in touch with embassy channels for real-time updates.Must Watch
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