Parents of students stranded in Ukraine meet Ernakulam District Collector

Concern over adverse weather conditions, low food stocks reported from various parts of war-torn country

As students from Kerala stranded in brutally cold, crammed bunkers and in near-abandoned hostels in Ukraine are making desperate appeals for help, a group of parents whose children are studying in Sumy, a city located about 1,400 km from the Russian border, met District Collector Jafar Malik on Sunday, seeking help to prevail upon the officials of the External Affairs Ministry to evacuate them.

Adverse weather conditions and low stock of food items have been reported from numerous areas in the war-torn country. “I told the group of 30-odd parents who met me that the safe and speedy return of students from the State had been taken up with the CEO of NoRKA Roots The agency has instructed students to adhere to advice being issued by embassy officials in Ukraine - to stay at the same place, or to reach the border [for crossing into Russia or other neighbouring countries],” said the Collector.

Although Sumy is not very volatile at present, Russia has not been permitting students and others from there to cross over to its territory, it is learnt.

The NoRKA has collected details of Kerala students in different areas in Ukraine. The agency was prioritising problem areas for speedy evacuation, based on advice from the External Affairs Ministry, said sources.

In a video broadcast from a medical university at Vinnytsia in Ukraine, Moses Antony Wilfred, a third year student, and his friends said the Indian Embassy had assured them of transit visa and a flight back home if they handed over their passports. “But little has happened. Indians waiting to cross (into Romania) are being maltreated at the border. Of the 500 Indians, only 25, mostly girl students, were permitted to cross the border.”

His father Babu Antony of Tuthiyur, Kakkanad, said Indians, most of whom walked 15 km after deboarding buses, were being treated like prisoners of war. Indian Embassy officials had not reached the area till Sunday evening, although officials of other embassies had arranged transit for their citizens, he said. The -7 degree centigrade weather had made matters worse. The help of Hibi Eden, MP, and Union Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan had been sought, he added.

Unconfirmed reports said many students were burning their books to stay warm. Devoid of food and sleep, some were reportedly getting panic attacks.