SHILLONG, Feb 25: With the Centre launching a operation to evacuate stranded Indian national, around 24 students from Meghalaya are waiting to be rescued from war-torn Ukraine.
Chief Secretary, Rebecca V Suchiang said state government officials are in touch with the MEA and the Indian Ambassador to Ukraine to ensure safety of students from Meghalaya.
Cabinet Minister James PK Sangma said Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has spoken with MEA officials and added that the government was in constant touch with the Centre.
The government has set up two helpline number – 9366066565 and 9863257261 – for students and citizens from Meghalaya stranded in Ukraine.
The state government also released a list of 17 students stranded across Ukraine and said it was in touch with the MEA to ensure the safe evacuation of all the students.
The list includes the names of Richie Kalra (Bishnupur), Ishika Debnath (Laitumkhrah), Deepak Kumar (Lower Paltan Bazar), Ibapynbianghunlang Nongkynrih (Nongrah), Shreejana Pradhan (Happy Valley), Medarisha Kurbah (Upper Shillong), Vicky Nongsiej, Synshar Tariang, Balapynsuk Synrem, Balarikordor Kharsati, Eunica Lawai Lyngdoh, Iwadamon Suchiang, Lashantihun Syiem, Dajiedkyrpang Rymbai, Mebaaishisha Paliar, Phiba Marbaniang and Decyful Nongrum.
While the government released a list of 17 names of students stranded in Ukraine, The Shillong Times has confirmed the names of at least seven more students pursuing their medical studies at Zaporizhzhia State Medical University in eastern Ukraine.
They are Barityngkai Lyngdoh, Rebecca Phawa, Daniella Adelene Kharumnuid, Malvida Nongrum, Daphibalahun Lyngdoh Mawlong (not Baphidahun as reported earlier), Daffinie Morallity Mawrie and Galilee Pohti.
Both Daphibalahun and Deepak Kumar said they were waiting to be rescued out of Ukraine but had not received any help as yet.
“So far there is no new information on the situation. The University has advised us to remain in our hostels. We were told where our bunkers are in case of emergency but fortunately there isn’t any major incident near the University; so we are lucky so far. With updates of the Embassy here on Facebook and Twitter, we can only hope something good happens,” Daniella wrote in a WhatsApp message to ST on Friday evening.
Two hours later, ST received a WhatsApp message from Deepak, a third-year MBBS student, stating that the University authorities have asked the students to take refuge in bunkers to escape possible air raids.