Srinagar, June 19 : A group of Kashmiri students evacuated from Iran have alleged that they were left stranded at Delhi International Airport without proper arrangements to return home, despite prior assurances from the authorities.
In a video message shared with Kashmir News Service (KNS), the students said they were grateful to the Government for evacuating them from Iran safely, but now feel abandoned in Delhi.
“We were reassured that we would be safely taken to Kashmir after landing in Delhi, but there is no one here. No officials, no guidance,” said one of the students.
The group said they have been offered SRTC buses to travel to Kashmir, but are unwilling to undertake the 20-hour journey after already spending four days in transit.
“We are not in a condition to travel in buses for 20 hours.We were told we would reach Kashmir safely, but that has not happened,” a student said, adding that no government representative is available at the airport to assist them.
The students also said that air ticket prices from Delhi to Srinagar are above ?20,000, which many of them cannot afford. “I personally can’t pay 20,000 rupees for a flight ticket right now,” said another evacuee.
While thanking the government for arranging the evacuation, they urged authorities to fulfil the commitment made to bring them back home. “They tweeted and assured us, but now we are left with no one to even call for help,” they said.
The students requested urgent intervention from the Jammu and Kashmir and central government to arrange either air transport or any immediate alternative.(KNS)
