Indian Embassy Assures Probe Into Nepali Student's Suicide At KIIT Amid Protests

The Indian Embassy in Nepal has pledged a thorough investigation into the suspected suicide of a Nepali student at Odisha's Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) and has urged Nepali students to return to the campus.

Prakriti Lamsal, a third-year BTech student at the Bhubaneswar-based institution, allegedly died by suicide in her hostel on Sunday, sparking protests on the campus, where around 1,000 Nepali students are enrolled.

Students raised slogans, blocked roads, and pushed through the gates of buildings. A male student has been taken into custody in connection with the incident.

A group of Nepali students also staged a protest outside the Indian embassy in Kathmandu, demanding an investigation into the matter.

The embassy assured that KIIT had appealed to Nepali students to "return to the campus, resume their classes, and stay in the hostels".

The statement added, "Nepali students studying in India form an important facet of the enduring people-to-people links between the two countries. The Government of India will continue to take all necessary steps to ensure the well-being of Nepali students in India."

As protests escalated on campus, KIIT authorities were reportedly accused of evicting several Nepali students from the hostel and leaving them at Cuttack railway station without arranging transport for them.

The university later clarified, stating, "The administration made extensive efforts, engaging in counselling and discussions for over 10 hours to manage the situation peacefully. However, despite their best attempts, some protestors were unwilling to listen to the university authorities and continued to create disruptions, posing a challenge to law and order. They also blocked the main road for hours, causing inconvenience and escalating tensions."

The university further added, "To ensure a smooth and unbiased investigation, Nepali students have been advised to return to their respective places with the help of local guardians until the inquiry is completed. Their academic aspects will not be disturbed during this period and will be taken care of by the university."

In order to maintain order, two platoons (each consisting of 30 personnel) of police were deployed. Police also sealed Lamsal's room and placed her body in the mortuary until her parents arrived.

Lamsal's father accused the private engineering institution of "mistreating" Nepali undergraduates.

"I have lost my daughter. Many other children are studying here. It is known from the media that some students were driven out of their hostel. This is not right. This incident should not be repeated. These people go to Nepal and invite students to study here. The institute mistreated them," Sunil Lamsal said.

State Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj stated that the government had instructed the university to arrange for the Nepali students' return to Bhubaneswar by special bus.

KIIT also assured that the academic progress of the students would be supported. The institute set up a 24/7 control room at its Campus 6 to assist Nepali students returning to the university.

KIIT posted on X, "A dedicated control room is open 24x7 at KIIT Campus 6 to facilitate the return of Nepali students to the KIIT campus. Additionally, a 24x7 helpline [+91 7847064550 & +91 7855029322] has been set up to provide support and guidance."

Nepal's Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli shared on X that two officials had been sent to counsel the students and arrangements were made for them to either stay in their hostel or return home.