Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday said he spoke to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar regarding students from the Union Territory stranded in Iran and was assured that necessary steps will be taken to ensure safety of all Indian students.
The development comes after Indian nationals in Iran were on Sunday asked to exercise due caution and maintain contact with the Embassy of India in Tehran through its social media accounts in view of the current situation in the country following the launch of strikes by Israel.
“Just spoke to @DrSJaishankar regarding the situation in Iran, particularly the welfare & safety of Kashmiri students in the country. The Hon Minister assured me that @MEAIndia is in close contact with their counterparts in Iran & will take all necessary steps to safeguard all Indian students in Iran,” Abdullah posted on X.
Earlier in the day, the chief minister had said he was in touch with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) regarding students from the Union Territory stranded in Iran.
“I’m in touch with @MEAIndia regarding the evolving situation in Iran, particularly with regard to the students from Kashmir in Tehran, Shiraz, Qom & other cities. They, in turn, are in close contact with the authorities in Iran,” Abdullah said in a series of posts on X.
He said a decision to evacuate the students will be taken on the basis of ground situation and keeping in view their safety.
“A decision to evacuate, if necessary, will be taken based on the ground situation keeping the safety & security of these students as the primary consideration. We will keep everyone informed as the situation develops,” he said.
The chief minister sought to assure the parents of stranded students that his government was closely following the situation in this regard.
“As a parent I assure all the concerned parents of my government’s close & continuous attention to this important developing situation,” he added.
In an advisory, the Indian embassy in Iran asked all Indian nationals to remain vigilant, avoid all unnecessary movements, follow the embassy’s social media accounts and observe safety protocols as advised by local authorities.
Pertinently, during the day, a group of parents whose children are studying in Iran, assembled at the Press Enclave here to press for evacuation of the Kashmiri students from the war-hit country.
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) also asked External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to make arrangements for evacuation of students of the Union Territory from Iran as Tel Aviv-Tehran conflict intensified.
In an X post, JKPCC president Tariq Hameed Karra wrote, “Urgent action needed by @DrSJaishankar to evacuate J&K students studying in Iran amid escalating tensions and volatile situation. Prioritise their safety, provide comprehensive support, and ensure their swift, secure return home.”
The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the stranded students from Jammu and Kashmir to contact the Indian embassy in Tehran.
PDP leader Iltija Mufti posted on X, “For Kashmiri students stranded in Iran, please leave a WhatsApp message or call on these Indian Embassy (@India_in_Iran) numbers +98 9128109115 and +98 9128109109. In case you can’t get through, please tag us (@jkpdp, @YouthJKPDP) on your tweets.”
Hundreds of students from Jammu and Kashmir are pursuing professional courses — mainly medicine — in various Iranian universities.
Indians in Iran asked to exercise caution, maintain contact with embassy
Tehran: Indians in Iran were on Sunday asked not to panic, exercise due caution and maintain contact with the Embassy of India in Tehran through its social media accounts in view of the current situation in the country following the launch of strikes by Israel.
In an advisory, the Indian Embassy here asked all Indian nationals and Persons of Indian Origin to remain vigilant, avoid all unnecessary movements, follow the embassy’s social media accounts and observe safety protocols as advised by local authorities.
The embassy provided a Google form on its X account and asked the Indian citizens to fill it out to provide their details.
“Please remember, it is important not to panic, exercise due caution and maintain contact with the Embassy of India in Tehran,” it said.
It also provided a Telegram Link and asked the Indian citizen to join it to receive updates on the situation from the mission.
“Kindly note that this Telegram Link is ONLY for those Indian Nationals who are currently in Iran,” the embassy posted on X.
It also provided emergency contact details.
“Contacts numbers: For call only: +98 9128109115, +98 9128109109 For WhatsApp: +98 901044557, +98 9015993320, +91 8086871709, Bandar Abbas: +98 9177699036 and Zahedan: +98 9396356649,” the mission said in a statement.
Israel attacked Iran early Friday, targeting its nuclear, missile and military infrastructure. Iran later launched retaliatory strikes on Israel. Israel threatened even greater force after some Iranian missiles struck buildings in the heart of the country. (PTI)
Control Room established in Srinagar for parents of students studying in Iran
Concerned families urged to stay connected, make use of these helplines
Srinagar: In view of the current situation in the West East, the Divisional Administration has established a dedicated Control Room at the DC Office Srinagar to assist families of students studying in Iran, an official press release informed Sunday.
It said parents and guardians can contact the Control Room to share details of their wards through the Landline Numbers: 0194-2483651; 0194-2457543; 0194-2457552, and WhatsApp Numbers: +91-9103998355.
The administration urges all concerned families to stay connected and make use of these helplines.
