Bangladeshi, Indian and Pakistani students reportedly came under attack by violent mobs in Kyrgyzstan鈥檚 capital, Bishkek.
Pakistan鈥檚 mission in Bishkek said that a few hostels of medical universities in Bishkek, where students from India, Bangladesh and Pakistan reside, were attacked amid the violence, which broke out on Friday evening.
The Kyrgyz government said that four foreign citizens were arrested following mob violence in Bishkek in the evening of May 17-18 that injured at least 28 people, including several foreigners, and appeared to be directed against foreign students and migrants.
The violence prompted diplomatic reactions from Pakistan and India, who have warned their students in Bishkek to remain indoors.
The violence broke out after a video purportedly showing Kyrgyz students fighting medical students from Egypt on May 13 was widely shared online, according to Radio Free Europe.
Mobs gathered in several spots in Bishkek on Friday evening after users on social media claimed those who were beaten were Kyrgyz youths.
On Saturday, a number of Bangladeshi students reached out to the news agency seeking help for their safety.
鈥榃e are here, five Bangladeshi girls. We are inside our apartment right now. Some people are gathering in front of our apartment. Please help us,鈥� Samia Kabir, one of the Bangladeshi students at International School of Medicine, Kyrgyzstan, said on Saturday evening.
鈥榃e have been asked by the authorities to stay inside. We hear some noises from other apartments nearby鈥� some Pakistanis are likely to be there,鈥� Samia added.
鈥極ur mission in Uzbekistan is looking into the matter. So far, we have not received any reports of injuries of any Bangladeshis. We are in touch with our Mission. We will share a complete report soon,鈥� a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka said.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic in a statement said that at present the situation in Bishkek was 鈥榓bsolutely calm and fully under control鈥�.
鈥楢ll necessary measures have been taken to ensure security and maintain peace and stability,鈥� it said.
It also asked representatives of the media, the blogging community and foreign colleagues to be guided only by official and verified information from the competent authorities of the Kyrgyz Republic.
The embassy of Bangladesh in Uzbekistan, concurrently accredited to the Kyrgyz Republic, said that the situation in Kyrgyzstan was under the control of the law enforcing agencies, as per information released by the relevant state authorities.
However, the Bangladeshi students have been advised to stay indoors for the moment and get in touch with the embassy for any issues in this regard at the following 24x7 emergency number: +998930009780.
The embassy of Bangladesh in Uzbekistan is in communication with Bangladeshi students, currently studying in Kyrgyz Republic, regarding the recent incident of mob violence in Bishkek, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka on Saturday evening.
The embassy is also in touch with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyz Republic on this matter.
