Kerala medical students in Iran await evacuation as protests escalate, parents seek MEA, govt intervention

Also Read: Indian Medical Students Seek Urgent Safety Intervention in Iran Amid Protests

As per the latest media report by Onmanorama, these students hail from Malappuram, Kottayam, Ernakulam, and Kasaragod districts, and they are currently staying together in their dormitory near Azadi Square, Kerman.

Urging the MEA to start the process to evacuate these students, the parents of these students wrote to the Ministry stating, "Our children are living under constant fear and severe mental stress with no clarity on the resumption of studies and no reliable means of communication with their families."

The current situation of unrest in Iran started when, on December 28, the shopkeepers took to the streets against the fall of national currency, inflation, and poor living conditions.

Soon, the demonstration spread across the nation, leading to mass movements against the regime. The protests soon turned violent and the authorities imposed a communication blackout in Iran. According to a note by the United Nations, in the protests, hundreds and even possibly thousands of protestors and bystanders have been killed, and more than 18,000 people are reportedly detained. However, the UN has mentioned that it could not verify these figures.

Meanwhile, NORKA officials have told that they are collecting the registration data to ascertain the exact number of Keralites stuck in Iran. Speaking to Onmanorama, a NORKA official said, "We understand that a flight scheduled for evacuation has been deferred. We are also awaiting communication from the MEA. The data on Malayalis is being compiled for further action."

Recently, on January 14, the MEA issued an advisory advising Indian nationals to avoid travelling to Iran. The advisory said, "In view of the ongoing developments in Iran, Indian nationals are once again strongly advised to avoid travel to the Islamic Republic of Iran until further notice."

Highlighting the situation, Tharish Rahman, who hails from Thazhathangady in Kottayam and is a co-ordinator of the parents' collective, said that the classes have been suspended and the examination has also been postponed.

"We are really worried. They are being forced to stay inside the room. Their calls are under surveillance. We can't call them directly. Even when they call us, it will be very brief, and the call gets disconnected soon," he said.

On the condition of anonymity, another parent from Malappuram told the daily that the students have run out of money. The parent added, "There is so much uncertainty about their return. We can't send them money. Due to inflation, there is a severe shortage of food material, and prices are way too high. They cook in their hostel, but due to soaring prices and shortage of money, they are facing a crisis."

Around a month ago, these students were allowed to attend online classes. However, ultimately, the classes had to be suspended due to the worsening situation. A parent of one of the students from Kasaragod, said, "Till March, the exams have been postponed. They can't study, given the tense situation there. We are concerned about their health and safety. While the government is trying to evacuate them, we are also doing our bit. But with no means of communication, it is getting extremely difficult. When we try calling them, the call gets passed on to someone else, it is clear that their calls are being tapped due to security reasons."

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that earlier this month, amid the escalating protests and violence across Iran, the medical students' bodies have appealed to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to intervene to ensure the safety of nearly 3,000 Indian medical students currently studying in the country.

Highlighting growing anxiety among students and their families, the All India Medical Students Association (AIMSA) and Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) urged the Ministry of External Affairs to closely monitor the situation, strengthen coordination with the Indian Embassy, set up emergency helplines, issue timely advisories, and prepare evacuation plans if required.

Also Read: Iran Unrest: Medical Student bodies seek MEA intervention as 3,000 medicos face safety fears