Srinagar, June 19 : The first batch of nine Kashmiri students, who were stranded in Iran amid the ongoing regional conflict, returned home on Thursday, marking the beginning of the much-awaited evacuation effort.
Among the returnees is a student named Saba, a resident of Safa Kadal in Downtown Srinagar, who was received by her relieved family members. Speaking to media, she said, “I’m feeling happy that I’ve finally reached home. I came along with eight other students from Iran.”
However, she also voiced her disappointment over the lack of air travel arrangements from Delhi to Srinagar. “After a long and exhausting journey, we expected better support from the government, but we were asked to travel in SRTC buses,” she said, criticising the Omar Abdullah-led government for not providing direct flights for the returning students.
Earlier, the Office of the J&K Chief Minister had stated in a post that CM Omar Abdullah had taken note of the transportation issues and directed the Resident Commissioner to coordinate with JKRTC for arranging deluxe sleeper buses for the evacuated students. “The government is making arrangements for their smooth journey home,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) also acknowledged the intervention, stating, “While our primary demand remains connecting flights, we appreciate the prompt response and intervention by the CM’s advisor Nasir Aslam Wani Sahab, who ensured that sleeper buses were arranged.”
Families of other stranded students in Iran continue to wait for further updates, urging the administration to expedite the evacuation process.
