Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Feb 26: Former J&K finance minister Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Wednesday appealed to the Centre to evacuate the residents of Jammu and Kashmir, especially the students stranded in Iran, which is emerging as the second focal point after China for the spread of the coronavirus disease.
In a statement issued here, Mr Bukhari said that the rise in the number of deaths and those infected by the virus in Iran has created panic among those stranded there and their families back home in Jammu and Kashmir.
''As we know that Iran has confirmed three more deaths and 34 new infections on Tuesday, taking the country's overall death toll to 15 and infection tally to 95. I am in touch with the ministry of external affairs Government of India and have submitted details of over 240 students from J&K who are stuck in Shiraz, Tehran and other cities of Iran,'' Mr Bukhari said, while appealing the to act quickly and take measures for the safe evacuation of these students.
The former minister observed that it seems that the ground situation in Iran has worsened.
''Iran has been hit by the deadliest coronavirus outbreak by far outside China. I have information that over 300 students from J&K are studying in the Tehran University of Medical Sciences and Shiraz University of Medical Science (SUMS), and other parts of Iran. They all are safe at the moment but the spread of the virus has created a real possibility of infection if they are not evacuated quickly,'' Mr Bukhari briefed the Ministry of External Affairs.
The former minister appealed the Centre especially the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the External Affairs Minister to arrange for a chartered flight to evacuate the students and also create a separate quarantine facility for them.
''It is a matter of serious concern for all of us especially the families of the stranded students who said that despite being Iran's epicentre of the outbreak, Qom city, which is one of largest metropolis in Iran is yet to be quarantined,'' Mr Bukhari remarked.
He also appealed the Prime Minister to give necessary directions to the Indian Embassy in Iran to act proactively and provide all necessary assistance to the students stranded in Shiraz city, some of whom have already mailed their details to the Indian Embassy.
Mr Bukhari also appealed the Indian Embassy in Iran to contact the students and others marooned there.
''These J&K residents should be asked to immediately furnish their details and travel plans in order to check the possibilities to initiate their early and safe evacuation,'' he added. |
