Shillong, Mar 3: Thousands of Indians studying in Ukraine have suddenly found themselves in the midst of the war after Russia invaded the country last week, with many hunkered inside bunkers and fearful of what lies ahead. Amongst these thousands, there are atleast 40 students from Meghalaya studying in Ukraine.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday tweeted a positive information, informing that 29 students from Meghalaya studying in Ukraine have reached safely in India; 2 are enroute to the border and 11 have reached neighbouring countries and will be flown back to India soon.

Pynthorumkhrah Legislator and Advisor to the Chief Minister, AL Hek on speaking with Hub News in an exclusive interview has said that he personally has apprised this issue with the Minister of State, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), V Muraleedharan and Law Minister Kiren Rijiju on February 28 and has personally submitted the names of some of the names of the students stranded at Ukraine.

“The parents of those students studying in Ukraine have met and requested me to help intervene the matter through the Government of India, this is why I (took) this initiative to go to Delhi…on February 28 I met Minister of State, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), V Muraleedharan and Law Minister Kiren Rijiju”, said Hek.

The Law Minister and the Minister of State of MEA assured the State Legislator to take up the matter seriously and will not leave any stone unturned.

The MLA further informed that the Government of India has delegated five Union Ministers to the neighbouring countries of Ukraine to aid the citizens by providing shelters and food.

Hek informed that he was the only Legislator who has taken the initiative to address this matter to the Central Government. “No other state government officials were present in Delhi, not even the Chief Minister nor the Home Minister,” said Hek.

“I personally met the MEA, meet the Union Minister and the official of the Ministry to ensure the safety of our young students studying in Ukraine, the MEA has clearly instructed the State Government that on arriving of the students, the Commissioner or the Joint Commissioner will have to take care of these students,” further added Hek.

Notably, last week Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma joined his counterparts in other states to seek the intervention by Ministry of External Affairs to ensure safe return of all those stuck in Ukraine following a military conflict with Russia.