KIIT Student Suicide: Nepal PM Steps In, Dispatches Officials To Odisha To Counsel Protesting Batchmates

Nepal's Prime Minister, KP Sharma Oli, on Monday addressed the tragic death of a Nepali student at KIIT University in Odisha, stating that his government had dispatched two officials from the Nepalese Embassy in New Delhi to provide support to affected students.

"Our Embassy in New Delhi has dispatched two officers to counsel Nepali students affected in Odisha. Additionally, arrangements have been made to ensure they have the option to either remain in their hostel or return home, based on their preference," he said.

The Embassy of India in Kathmandu also expressed its condolences, issuing a statement mourning the student's death. The embassy confirmed that it had been in contact with both KIIT University authorities and the Odisha State Government. Local authorities have commenced an investigation, treating the case as a suspected suicide.

The incident involved the alleged suicide of Prakriti Lamsal, a third-year B.Tech student from Nepal, who was found in her hostel room at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) on Sunday. Following the discovery, tensions escalated on campus, with Nepali students staging protests to demand justice.

Her cousin lodged a complaint at Infocity police station, alleging that she had taken her own life due to blackmail by another student. Bhubaneswar DCP, Pinak Mishra, confirmed that a case had been registered on charges of abetment to suicide and that the accused student was in police custody.

"We have seized the mobile phone, laptop, and other gadgets of the deceased woman. A scientific investigation is underway," he stated, urging students to maintain peace.

University Appeals for Nepali Students to Return

In response to growing unrest, KIIT authorities issued a notice instructing all Nepali students to vacate the campus immediately.

"The institute was closed sine die for all international students from Nepal, and they are directed to vacate the university campus immediately today on 17th February," the notice read.

Large numbers of students were seen leaving their hostels, with many reporting that they had been given little time to prepare. Some expressed concerns over a lack of clear travel arrangements or provisions.

"We were protesting for the girl, and suddenly we were asked to vacate. We don't know what their intentions are, but we were forcibly made to leave. I don't have a train ticket or money," said Rajan Gupta, a Nepali student.

KIIT Registrar, Professor Jnyana Ranjan Mohanty, explained that the decision to ask Nepali students to leave was made in response to the protests.

"Following the incident, a few Nepali students protested. The university held discussions with them, and the situation was resolved. They accepted the decision and left," he told ANI.

KIIT University later issued a statement acknowledging the incident and commending the swift response by the police.

"Immediately after the incident, police investigated the matter and apprehended the culprit. The administration has taken all-out efforts to restore normalcy on campus and in the hostels to resume academic activities," it said.

The university also urged Nepali students who had left to return and continue their studies.