Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Mar 13: The first batch of Kashmiri medical students stranded in Iran has crossed into Armenia and is heading to temporary accommodation, with around 150 students from Kashmir expected to land in Delhi and Mumbai on March 15 as the repatriation process gathers pace.
According to details, students from Urmia University have already crossed the Armenian border and are safe and in stable condition. Those with confirmed flight tickets for March 14 are expected to proceed to the airport shortly for their onward journey to India.
A second group that departed from Qom has reached the border and is awaiting immigration clearance before crossing into Armenia. Students from Shiraz Medical University have safely reached Qom after being relocated from their campuses and are expected to move towards Azerbaijan or Armenia once their visas are processed.
Around 27 students from Arak Medical University, along with several other Indian students, have also reached the border safely and are staying at a hotel near the crossing while awaiting further travel arrangements. Their flights to India are scheduled for March 20.
Despite the progress, concerns persist. The All India Medical Students Association (AIMSA) said it received distress calls from several Arak University students on the evening of March 12 after a building adjacent to their dormitory was attacked, triggering panic among those still in the area.
Students from Isfahan University have also requested immediate relocation, citing growing security concerns in the region.
Dr Mohammad Momin Khan of AIMSA, who has been coordinating closely with students and authorities throughout the evacuation, urged the Indian Embassy in Iran to expedite relocation for all remaining students. “AIMSA has been in constant contact with Indian students across different universities in Iran to ensure their safety and smooth evacuation,” he said, appealing to the Embassy to immediately shift all Indian citizens to safer locations given the evolving security situation.
Among the returning students, around 150 belong to different districts of Kashmir. Parents in the Valley expressed relief as the evacuation moved forward, but urged the government to continue facilitating the safe return of all students still in Iran.
Students are expected to land at airports in Delhi and Mumbai before proceeding to their respective home states.
