Mangaluru: On Saturday August 21, Afghan Students’ Association in the City met Police Commissioner N. Shashi Kumar and expressed their concerns.

Speaking to the media, Shashi Kumar said that the students from Afghanistan are studying in various colleges across Mangaluru. “The students’ association have approached us looking at the developments in Afghanistan. We assure complete support to the Afghan students and will coordinate with them if they want to speak to their families back home,” he said.

Out of 58 students, 11 have gone back and 47 are staying with some of their family members.

The students raised various concerns to the Commissioner who interacted with them. They said that for those students who have gone to Afghanistan and are stuck, if government can help them to come back so that they would be able to complete their cademic year. They said that the visas may expire by September for those students who are in final year, visa extension for about 6 months would be useful. They also asked if was possible to reunite those who want to go back to their families.

Among other concerns were providing refugee status to those who want to continue their stay here only, and certain liberal consideration be made for students here to work also so that they can take care of their livelihood till situation normalises in Afghanistan. Also, they urged to provide emergency visa from Afghanistan to come here for the students who are selected for educational support by the Government of India as the academic year is commencing.