Stranded Indian students and others wait to cross the Ukraine-Moldova border on February 27. (Photo Courtesy: Amen Aier)
Awaiting instructions from Indian Embassy
Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 28
After reports of some Naga students being stranded in Ukraine emerged following the Ukrainian-Russian conflict which commenced on February 24, one Naga medical student has reportedly crossed over to Moldova on Sunday evening while the other is currently in Uzhhorod city bordering Hungary.
We are safe now: Amen Aier
Amen Aier, a medical student at the Odessa National Medical University, along with 62 other Indian students has safely crossed over to Moldova on a bus during the late evening of February 27 at around 5:30-6:00 pm.
The country of Moldova is situated along the Southern border of Ukraine and refugees fleeing the conflict have been pouring into the country seeking safety and refuge.
Late on February 27 evening, Amen shared her harrowing journey and told The Morung Express that some Indian students had privately arranged a bus from Odessa to try to cross the border into Moldova. The medical student further said that she and the rest of the travelers reached Chisinau, the capital of Moldova in the early morning of February 28, at around 5:30 am, travelling an approximate distance of 178.2 km from the city of Odessa, in Ukraine.
When asked if there were any information from the Government of India regarding their extraction and safe passage to India, she told this newspaper that they are waiting for further updates from the Indian Embassy. “Other groups of students also arrived and more are going to be arriving today, so approximately 100 plus Indian students,” she added.
The medical student also informed that the people in Moldova have been very kind and generous to the stranded students saying, “The people here are so hospitable and kind, they were willing to help with all the necessities like warm food, shelter and drinks free of cost.”
She concluded by saying that, “We are safe now, just waiting for further instructions from the Indian Embassy today.”
‘Anything can happen,’ says family
Meanwhile, Machu Yirackchang who hails from Poilwa village under Peren district is still stranded in the war-torn country in Uzhhorod city along the Hungarian border. After the war broke out, the Naga student who is studying at the I Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University had left Ternipol city on Friday along with other Indian students and were headed towards Poland in the hopes of catching a flight back home.
However, when the group reached the Polish border, they realised that it was overcrowded with no food or place to stay. They had walked for around 40 kilometers to get there from Ternipol.
Yirackchang’s brother, Mirhu Terieng told The Morung Express that the group decided to take a different route and on Sunday morning left for Uzhhorod, where they are presently stranded.
“But they have at least food and shelter at the moment,” the brother shared. He is however concerned that “they are still stuck, and waiting for response from the embassy.”
“They are also in dilemma and helplessly waiting. They are out of the warzone but still under the Ukrainian territory, and anytime, anything can happen,” he added.
When the family first learnt about the Russia-Ukraine war, the first thing they did was call Machu Yirackchang and they were relieved to hear that he was in a safe zone. Although talks are on, “we can’t rely on the talks and the Russian troops are still advancing,” Terieng said, adding that the family is “worried but helpless at the same time.”
Terieng is constantly in touch with his brother and is hoping that the latter will come out of the war-torn country soon. Machu Yirackchang is in his fourth year of medical studies and is expecting to earn his degree in another two years’ time.
NSF appeals for calm, activates helpline
In view of the precarious situation prevailing in Ukraine, the office of the Naga Students' Federation informed on Monday that all Naga individuals stranded in Ukraine or currently taking shelter in neighbouring countries to contact its Grievances Cell for assistance. (+917005305832/ +918974508102 and nagastudents1947@gmail.com)
The federation appealed to all family members and relatives of those stranded Naga individuals to remain calm and immediately get in contact with the office of the federation by providing the particulars of such persons through the contact details as provided.
It also said that the NSF has been in close coordination with the Nagaland state government to ensure that all possible help and necessary support are extended to those who are in need or in distress during the evacuation process.
