Malaysian students situation in Jammu and Kashmir

The 29 medical students from Melaka-Manipal Medical College who were reported to be in Kashmir have been contacted through social media including Facebook since the telecommunication services and other facilities such as roads and airport have been severely disrupted.

19 of the students are being accommodated in a hotel in Srinagar, attended to by a local travel agent.

Another group of eleven female students who were staying at a local family home by the Jhelum River in Kashmir have been evacuated by the Indian Army and are now given shelter at Camp Victopura.

The Malaysian Consulate General in Chennai are stepping up cooperation with the local authorities to contact and ensure the safety of the students.

Apart from the 29 medical students reported yesterday, the Consulate General has also received information regarding a group of 17 other Malaysians who were on a trip to attend a wedding in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.

They were also reported to be staying in a hotel in Srinagar. The Consulate General is trying to contact them to verify this information.

In total, 54 Malaysians were reported to have stranded in Jammu and Kashmir. The Ministry has also been receiving a lot of information and inquiries regarding other groups of Malaysian students who are on vacation in the region.

While the Consulate General is working closely with the local authorities to verify this information, the Malaysian High Commission in New Delhi is also working with the Indian authorities in the capital.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman had contacted India's External Affairs Minister Her Excellency Mrs Sushma Swaraj and requested assistance in locating and helping the Malaysians stranded in the area to be evacuated.

Her Excellency Mrs. Sushma Swaraj has promised the Indian government’s assistance to locate and render assistance to all Malaysians that are affected in the flood afflicted areas.

SOURCE: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia