The All India Medical Students Association (AIMSA) has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking the safety and security of Indian medical students in Russia.
The appeal came after four Indian students were among at least six people injured in a stabbing attack at a university in the Russian republic of Bashkortostan on Saturday, the Indian mission in Moscow said.
AIMSA letter to PM Modi
The AIMSA letter shared by news agency ANI said, “On behalf of the All India Medical Students Association (AIMSA), we are writing with deep concern and anguish over the recent violent attack on four Indian medical students at the Bashkir State Medical University in Russia.”
“Such incidents threaten not only the lives and dignity of our students but also create an atmosphere of fear and insecurity among thousands of Indian medical students studying abroad…,” it said.
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Through the letter, the association “humbly” requested the Government of India to:
1. Take immediate diplomatic action with the concerned authorities to ensure justice for the attacked students.
2. Strengthen security mechanisms and student support systems for Indian students studying abroad.
3. Issue clear recommendations and establish emergency helplines for Indian students facing threats or discrimination.
4. Ensure strict monitoring and coordination with foreign universities and governments to prevent such incidents in the future.
The letter said: “Indian students travel overseas with dreams of becoming health professionals and serving humanity. Any act of violence, discrimination or hostility towards them is unacceptable and must be strongly condemned. The safety and well-being of our students must remain the highest priority.”
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“We have faith in your leadership and unwavering commitment to protect Indian citizens worldwide. AIMSA expresses its solidarity with the affected students and their families and urges immediate action to prevent the recurrence of such tragic incidents,” the statement said.
Indian students attacked in Russia
Four Indian students were among at least six people injured in a knife attack at the State Medical University in Russia’s Ufa on Saturday, the Indian mission here said.
According to preliminary reports, a teenager armed with a knife entered a university dormitory in the Republic of Bashkortostan.
He attacked students living there and stabbed several of them, the Interior Ministry said.
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“The attacker resisted during the arrest, during which two police officers were stabbed. In addition, the suspect also caused bodily harm,” said the spokeswoman of the Ministry of the Interior, Major General Irina Volk, as quoted by the web portal RTVI.com.
Eyewitnesses were quoted by Ren TV as saying, “There was blood all around.” They also showed footage of the wounded being taken to the hospital by ambulances.
Authorities in Ufa have reportedly launched a high-level investigation into the incident.
Who was the attacker?
According to ANI, the Baza channel claimed that the attacker, identified as a 15-year-old youth, belonged to a banned neo-Nazi outfit.
“Belonged to the banned neo-Nazi organization NS/WP. He shouted nationalist slogans about the Holocaust during the frenzied attack,” it said, sharing a photo of a swastika painted on a wall in the blood of victims.
The Indian embassy and the Russian government are responding
The Indian embassy called it an “unfortunate incident” and said: “Several persons including four Indian students were injured.”
The embassy said it was in contact with authorities and officials from the Kazan consulate were on their way to Ufa to provide assistance to the injured students.
The Russian Federal Ministry of Health said in a statement that four people injured in the attack were receiving medical treatment.
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“One is in serious condition while the other three are in moderate condition,” he added.
The attacker was also admitted to a local children’s hospital in a serious condition, Baza Telegram channel reported, according to PTI.
Indian student found dead in Russia
A 22-year-old Indian student was found dead in a dam in Ufa, Russia, in November last year.
Ajeet Chaudhary, a native of Kafanwada village in Laxmangarh tehsil of Rajasthan’s Alwar district, pursued MBBS in Russia. He studied at Bashkir State Medical University, PTI news agency reported.
Chaudhary has been missing since October 19. His body was found near the White River in Ufa on November 6.
“The circumstances surrounding his death are not yet clear. A deeper investigation is needed into the incident as there are still many unanswered questions,” Chaudhary’s relative Bhanwar Singh was quoted as saying by PTI.
(With inputs from ANI, PTI)