Mangaluru: Afghan students association meets Compol, express concerns

Team Udayavani, Aug 21, 2021, 2:27 PM IST

Mangaluru: Worried over the fast-unfolding developments in their country, Afghan students in Mangaluru on Saturday met city police commissioner N Shashi Kumar and voiced their concerns.

Speaking to reporters, after interacting with the students, the commissioner informed that out of 58 students, 11 have gone back and 47 are staying with some of their family members.

Students expressed concerns over their visa among various other issues such as:-

1. Visas may expire by September for those students who are in final year, visa extension for about 6 months would be useful.

2. For those students who have gone to Afghanistan and are stuck, if government can help them to come back so that they would not be left out in the academic year.

3. For those who want to go back to reunite with their families may be facilitated.

4. Refugee status be given to those who want to continue their stay here only.

5. If some liberal consideration is given for students here to work also so that they can take care of their livelihood till the situation normalises.

6. Many students who are selected for educational support by government of India may be given an emergency visa from Afghanistan to come here as the academic year is commencing.

The commissioner has assured complete support to the Afghan students and said that if any of them wish to speak to their families back home the same will be facilitated.