In wake of the coronavirus outbreak, the students from the Valley pursuing various courses in Bangladesh are struggling to return home.
The colleges in Bangladesh have been shut and all the students have been asked to go home. “But the students from Kashmir and other states of India are not allowed to return,” said Sheikh Uzair.
Greater Kashmir received email from distressed students saying they were going through a tough situation in Bangladesh.
“Considering the poor health infrastructure and high population density in Bangladesh, the students living there are at high risk of contracting coronavirus. Hostel messes are also closed in most of the colleges and students are forced to go out into crowded markets to fend for themselves,” Uzair said.
The Valley students have urged the J&K administration to intervene into the matter and ensure their safe return.
“Most of them studying in Bangladesh are medical students and are at a higher risk of contacting coronavirus because of the fact that their colleges and hostels are in the vicinities of unprepared hospitals with no proper healthcare facilities to contain the virus,” another student said.
The students demanded that they should be allowed to return homes after going through proper screening test.
“The Government of India, along with the Indian Embassy in Bangladesh should assist the students as soon as possible before the outbreak gets out of control,” the students said.
Bangalore University suspends class work in all colleges, hostel closed:
Meanwhile, the authorities in Bangalore University have ordered for suspension of class work in all the departments and its affiliated colleges besides shutting down hostel messes as well. The order came into effect from Monday. The decision has been taken as a preventive measure to control COVID-19.
In wake of this, Valley students who are pursuing different courses in the University said they have to spend nights on roads if they are vacated from university hostels.
“We are not given rooms on rent neither anyone agrees to accommodate us as PG,” said one of the students.
The students demanded that the university should keep hostels functional as all students cannot return home for just 15 days.
“Going home and returning to University within 15 days will be a risk and a costly affair as well. We appeal the J&K administration to take up matter with University administration and get us retained here,” the student said.
The University notice states that once the students return their campuses after 15 days, they will have to produce a medical certificate declaring they are free from coronavirus. “University will also screen the students on their return,” it reads.
(This story has not been edited by Kashmir Today staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)