The first batch of nine Kashmiri students, who were stranded in Iran due to the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, returned home on Thursday, marking the commencement of a long-awaited evacuation effort. However, their return was overshadowed by disappointment regarding the lack of direct air travel arrangements from Delhi to Srinagar.
After an exhausting journey, one student, Saba Rasool from Srinagar, expressed frustration, stating, “We expected better support from the government, but we were asked to travel in shabby, uncomfortable SRTC buses.” This sentiment was echoed by many as 94 additional students evacuated from Iran have now arrived in Delhi and are en route to Srinagar, appreciating the efforts of the Ministry of External Affairs and the Prime Minister’s Office, but criticizing the inadequate facilities provided by the Jammu and Kashmir government.
Under Operation Sindhu, a total of 110 Indian students, including the 94 Kashmiri students, were successfully brought to Delhi. The operation was lauded for its efficiency, with students and their families praising the Indian embassy in Tehran for its role in arranging transportation and ensuring safety during the conflict. Many expressed gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar for their dedication in facilitating their safe return.
However, the students did not hold back in their criticism of the Jammu and Kashmir administration led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. They highlighted issues with poorly maintained SRTC buses that were arranged for their onward journey, sharing images on social media that depicted broken seats and unclean interiors, labeling them “unsuitable” for long-distance travel. The Jammu and Kashmir Student Union amplified these concerns online, contrasting the state’s logistical shortcomings with the central government’s effective crisis management.
In response to the public outcry, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah took to social media to apologize and directed the transport department to replace the inadequate buses with deluxe options. The Chief Minister’s office announced that arrangements would be made to ensure better transportation for the returning students.
The group returning included 52 male and 42 female students, many hailing from Srinagar and neighbouring districts. The swift intervention from the Chief Minister’s advisor, Nasir Aslam Wani, was acknowledged by the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA), which stated, “While our primary demand remains connecting flights, we appreciate the prompt response and intervention to arrange deluxe sleeper buses.”
As families of other stranded students in Iran continue to await updates, they urge the administration to expedite the evacuation process and ensure safe passage for all those affected by the ongoing conflict.
