Mob violence in Kyrgyzstan a threat to Indian, Pakistani students? What we know so far

On the intervening night of May 17-18, violence erupted in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The unrest, fueled by a viral video, targeted foreign students and migrants, leading to diplomatic warnings from India and Pakistan. We explain the incident, its impact on Indian and Pakistani students, the responses from their governments, and the probable root cause of the migrant issues in Kyrgyzstan.

On the night of May 17-18, Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, was engulfed in violence that left 28 people injured, including three foreigners. The turmoil appeared to be directed against foreign students and migrants, sparking significant diplomatic reactions from both Pakistan and India.

The unrest began after a video purportedly showing Kyrgyz students in a fight with medical students from Egypt on May 13 went viral. This video led to a surge of mob gatherings across Bishkek, fueled by social media claims that the beaten individuals were Kyrgyz youths, though no evidence was provided, according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Riot police eventually intervened, cordoning off areas where mobs had gathered, and video footage circulating online showed mobs attacking what appeared to be foreign students both in the streets and within dormitories.

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Impact on Indian and Pakistani students

Indian and Pakistani students were among those targeted during the violence. Muhammad Ihtisham Latif, a Pakistani medical student in Bishkek, shared his harrowing experience with RFE/RL: “The situation is bad here. The situation started when Egyptian students clashed with locals here. The locals are now protesting and they are beating Indian and Pakistani students…. They chase them in their hostels and houses…hostel (doors) were broken. I am locked up in the university along with other students since yesterday and I am sharing my voice with you.”

Kyrgyzstan has become a favoured destination for students from South Asia due to its high-quality medical training. According to the Migration Data Portal, Kyrgyzstan hosted the highest number of international students (61,418) in 2021 among the five Central Asian countries. Approximately 14,500 Indian and 10,000 Pakistani students are currently studying in Kyrgyzstan, attracted by factors such as affordable living costs, availability of Indian cuisine, favourable student-teacher ratios, and internationally recognized medical degrees.

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Reactions from India and Pakistan

In response to the violence, Indian and Pakistani diplomatic missions issued warnings to their students in Bishkek. Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar urged students to maintain regular contact with the embassy, stating, “[I am] monitoring the welfare of Indian students in Bishkek. Situation is reportedly calm now. Strongly advise students to stay in regular touch with the Embassy.”

The Indian Embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic also released a statement, emphasising that law enforcement agencies took prompt measures to detain those involved, both foreign and Kyrgyz citizens. The statement assured that the situation was under control and public order was maintained, with no reports of serious injuries among the victims.

Statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic on the current incidents in Bishkek. pic.twitter.com/vt1FEwGVka

— India in Kyrgyz Republic (@IndiaInKyrgyz) May 18, 2024

Kyrgyz government’s response

The Kyrgyz government announced an investigation into the violence, pledging to punish those found guilty. However, the government also appeared to place some blame on illegal migrants, with authorities claiming they have been taking “decisive measures to suppress illegal migration and expel undesirable persons from Kyrgyzstan.”

Kamchybek Tashiev, head of Kyrgyzstan’s State Committee on National Security (UKMK), stated that 500-700 local citizens, aged between 18 and 25, had gathered to protest against the increasing number of migrants working in Kyrgyzstan. Tashiev highlighted the country’s struggle with illegal immigration, particularly from Pakistan and Bangladesh, noting that authorities identify and expel numerous illegal migrants daily.

The deeper migrant issues in Kyrgyzstan

The violence in Bishkek reflects deeper tensions regarding the influx of migrants in Kyrgyzstan. The country has been grappling with a significant number of migrants from South Asia and Russia, leading to rising local frustrations. Kyrgyzstan’s favored status among international students, especially for medical training, has added to the cultural and social dynamics within the country.

Despite the benefits international students bring, such as economic contributions and cultural exchange, the local population’s concerns about job competition and social integration have sparked occasional unrest. The Kyrgyz government’s focus on expelling illegal migrants suggests an attempt to address these tensions, although it also risks exacerbating xenophobic sentiments.