ADVISORY FOR INDIAN STUDENTS IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

5 November, 2007
Moscow

There have been several incidents of violent attacks on Indian and other foreign students in different parts of the Russian Federation by extremist groups. St. Petersburg accounts for a third of all such attacks, according to police statistics. Moscow and Voronezh (about 500 km south of Moscow) come next with 25% and 10% respectively. Foreign students, especially those with dark skin or hair, are vulnerable to harassment and assault by such groups. Mr. Nitesh Kumar Singh, a 6^th year Indian student from the Mechnikov Medical Academy, St. Petersburg, was fatally stabbed by a group of 8 masked persons in front of his hostel building on 24 September, 2006. Earlier, in April, another Indian, a 5^th year student from the same Medical Academy, Mr. Kishore Kumar Anjangi, was also attacked in the same area but survived. Additionally, eleven foreign students from Africa, Asia and Latin America have also been attacked in the last one year in St. Petersburg and Voronezh, some fatally. Recently, on September 13 2007 at Tver, another group of Indian students was attacked resulting in head injury to one student, Diwakar Verma who had to be shifted to India after being in comatose condition for a month.

The Embassy of India in Moscow and the Consulate-General of India in St Petersburg have strongly taken up the issue of security for Indian students in Russia with the Russian authorities. They have promised to take action against such groups and to adopt necessary measures to improve the security of foreign students. Some preliminary steps seem to have been already initiated in improving security conditions at the Mechnikov Medical Academy and other universities. However, the problem of attacks on non-white foreign students in Russia would require a more comprehensive approach by the Russian authorities. Consequently, Indian students in Russia are strongly advised to take adequate precautions themselves for their personal security, particularly during all their outdoor movements. There can be no substitute for remaining very vigilant and exercising due caution and prudence in one's movements.

ADVISORY FOR INDIAN STUDENTS ON MEDICAL FACILITIES IN RUSSIA

All the Indian students seeking admission in Russian educational institutions are advised that they should obtain full information on health care and medical facilities in the city of their study in Russia. It is also strongly recommended that they should obtain full medical insurance, including insurance cover for medical treatment and accidents, before entering Russia. The students are also advised to seek medical advice before traveling to Russia and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. It is suggested that in case of any medical situation requiring complicated treatment or major surgery (particularly requiring general anesthesia), students should try and have the treatment done back in India.