Dimapur:
One of the three Naga students, who was studying in war-torn Ukraine, reached New Delhi, on the morning of March 2.
Olika Mlato Shikhu from Dimapur, who studies in Ukraine’s Poltava, had moved out of the country and was in Poland. She was evacuated to Delhi today.
“Ms. Olika Mlato a student from Nagaland studying in Ukraine reached Delhi this morning (sic),” informed Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio via a post on popular micro-blogging website.
Expressing gratitude to the Centre and further requesting it to ensure the safe return of all Indian citizens from the eastern European country, he added, “Praying for a swift end to the conflict & for peace to prevail (sic),” he said.
Through the said website, deputy chief minister Y Patton said, “As a daughter from Nagaland arrives safely in Delhi today from #Ukraine, I express my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to Hon’ble PM Shri @NarendraModi Ji for leading the efforts under #OperationGanga to bring back Indians stranded in Ukraine (sic).”
He further informed that all efforts are being made to ensure that she arrives home expediently and he is constantly monitoring the arrangements. However, it could not be confirmed when Olika will reach her home state.
The two other medical students — Lanu Amenla Aier and Machi Yirakchang — studying at different cities in Ukraine, had set out to the neighbouring countries of Ukraine to catch a flight to India. They are reportedly out of the war zone.
While Aier is staying at a military camp in Moldova, Yirakchang is currently taking shelter at a place, few kilometers away from the Hungarian border.
State home commissioner Abhijit Sinha said the families and relatives of the Aier and Yirakchang have reached out to the state helpline numbers, specifically activated for stranded citizens from the state in Ukraine.
He also informed that the Nagaland government is in constant touch with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and is closely monitoring their movements.
The Nagaland home department and the Naga Students’ Federation had set up respective helpline numbers for those stranded in Ukraine to provide necessary support and assistance in their evacuation.