Our Correspondent
Kohima, Feb. 25 (EMN): Amid concerns over the safety of more than 20,000 Indian nationals, mostly students, currently stuck in Ukraine due to Russian military offensive and the government of India (GoI) making efforts to evacuate them, it is learnt that there is no report of people from Nagaland stranded in the war-hit country.
The Home department, government of Nagaland, told Eastern Mirror on Friday that there is "no report yet", when asked if any citizen of the state is stranded in Ukraine.
However, more than 100 people from four north-eastern states -- Assam, Meghalaya, Sikkim, and Tripura – are stranded in Ukraine, according to updates from the respective states.
About 100 students from Assam, 20 from Sikkim and 10 from Meghalaya are said to be currently in the war-torn country.
Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Friday tweeted: “As of yet, we have received details of 20 students currently stranded in Ukraine. We have contacted the Ministry of External Affairs and have provided the details”.
“Indian Embassy in Hungary, Poland, Ukraine, Romania, Slovakia, have also contacted (those) who are working towards coordinating an alternative route for evacuation. We are in touch with the students and taking feedback on their status,” he added.
Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb also took to Twitter to inform that several students from the state have been stuck in Ukraine.
Meghalaya Chief Minister also informed that “the Government of Meghalaya has set up a Helpline for students/persons from Meghalaya stranded in Ukraine” and requested all to share. He had, earlier on Thursday, requested the union minister of External Affairs to “ensure the safe return of all Indian citizens.”
The Embassy of India in Kyiv had said that “over 15,000 Indian students are stranded in Ukraine in various regions” and assured to take “all necessary steps" to ensure their safety and security.
As pressure grows from various states to bring citizens back to India, the Embassy of India in Kyiv updated on Friday that it, along with the GoI is “working to establish evacuation routes from Romania and Hungary”.
“At present, teams are getting in place at the following check-points- Chop-Zahony Hungarian border near Uzhhorod, Porubne-Siret Romanian border near Chernivtsi,” the statement read.
‘Indian nationals, especially students living closest to the border check-points were advised to depart first in an organised manner, in coordination with teams from the Ministry of External Affairs to actualize this option,’ it added.
"Once the above routes are operational, Indian nationals travelling by their own arrangements for transport would be advised to proceed to above border check points, and remain in touch with the Helpline Numbers set up at the respective check-points for facilitation through the border. Number would be shared once the control rooms are established," it continued.
Students were advised to keep in touch with student contractors, for orderly movement.
The Indian nationals stranded in Ukraine are advised to carry passports, cash (preferably in USD) for any emergency expenses, and other essentials. It further advised them to carry Covid-19 double vaccination certificate (if available), and print out Indian flag and paste prominently on vehicles and buses while travelling.
They are also told to “continue to remain strong, safe and alert” even as GOI and Embassy work round the clock to support the Indian community in Ukraine in this difficult situation.
Meanwhile, Air India will operate three flights to Romanian capital Bucharest and one flight to Hungarian capital Budapest by Saturday. The airlines tweeted on Friday night that it will be operating B787 aircraft from Delhi and Mumbai to Bucharest and Budapest on February 26 as special government charter flights to evacuate stranded Indians.
It’s reported the transportation cost will be completely borne by the central government.