Following a protest over Nepal student suicide at the KIIT University of Bhubaneswar in Odisha, 3 directors, and 2 guards were arrested on Tuesday, according to an India Today report. The action was taken by Odisha’s government with an immediate cognizance of the matter and appropriate legal as well as administrative action will be followed upon the findings of the High-Level Fact Finding Committee constituted by the State Government.
In a press release, a report was released by the Embassy of India Kathmandu on Tuesday on X, stating, “In light of the recent unfortunate incident relating to KIIT University, the Government of Odisha has taken immediate cognizance of the matter and taken steps to arrest security guards and suspension of erring officials involved. The institution has been placed under notice, and appropriate legal and administrative action shall follow based on the findings of the High-Level Fact Finding Committee constituted by the Government”.
Action taken by Odisha State Government in the tragic death of Nepali student at KIIT pic.twitter.com/HSwTY6wRVd
— IndiaInNepal (@IndiaInNepal) February 18, 2025
The Fact-Finding Committee will consist of Addl. Chief Secretary, Home Department, Principal Secretary, Women & Child Development Department, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, and Higher Education Department as Members.
“Reports of misconduct including the use of force against students by private individuals, are being investigated into, and those responsible, shall be held accountable as per the law. The Government of Odisha remains committed to ensuring the safety, dignity, and well-being of every student. The Odisha Government will take all necessary steps to ensure that justice is served swiftly and fairly, “the released note added.
Following this, another press release has been issued by the embassy highlighting its follow-up with authorities of the Government of Odisha as well as with the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) concerning the tragic death of Nepali student Prakriti Lamsal and related developments.
The statement further mentioned that the Odisha State Government has acknowledged the issue and initiated action against the officials responsible. Meanwhile, the Bhubaneswar Police Commissionerate confirmed that a criminal case has been filed against the accused student, who has been arrested and remanded to judicial custody.
— IndiaInNepal (@IndiaInNepal) February 18, 2025
Widespread Outrage Among Students
In a separate development, the incident has sparked widespread outrage among students, with a demand for justice and transparency from the college administration. They are now demanding an independent student body that could protect the rights and safety of students on campus.
“We only want a student body that is independent of the college itself and will protect us… Transparency from the faculty should be given on why such incidents are happening. An international student was treated like this; someday, we too can be treated like this…” said one of the protesting Nepali students, news agency ANI reported.
Navnirman Krushak Sangathan (NKS) also held a candlelight protest outside KIIT University in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday.
VIDEO | KIIT Nepali student death: Navnirman Krushak Sangathan (NKS) holds candlelight protest outside Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/dzZvoR49Cp
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 18, 2025
Meanwhile, students in Nepal, under the aegis of different student organisations, are also protesting in Kathmandu on Tuesday.
#WATCH | Students in Nepal, under the aegis of different student organisations, protest in Kathmandu over the death of a Nepali student at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Odisha, India.
The accused student, Advik Srivastava was arrested on February 17 and… pic.twitter.com/VWPMofqFOE
— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2025
Responding to her previous remarks, Additional Director, Girls’ Hostel & Student Affairs Member-ARC at KIIT, Jayanti Nath, said, “I want to take a moment to apologise for my recent remarks regarding Nepal while handling a student protest that escalated beyond control. My intention was never to offend or demean anyone and I deeply regret if my words caused intended hurt to the sentiments of anyone. I want to emphasise that my words do not reflect the views of the University or any of its authorities. However, it is pertinent to convey that my words were a consequence of being directly instigated by statements made during the protest where my country and my institution were called ‘corrupt’ and ‘poor’. In that heated exchange, my reply was meant to defend against those remarks, not to demean Nepal or its people in any way.”
#WATCH | Death of Nepali girl at KIIT, Odisha: Jayanti Nath, Additional Director, Girls’ Hostel & Student Affairs Member-ARC at KIIT says, “I want to take a moment to apologise for my recent remarks regarding Nepal while handling a student protest that escalated beyond control.… pic.twitter.com/zE6NvD3XkB
— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2025
The development followed after the death of the third-year BTech student on February 16 as a result Nepali students staged a protest claiming that she was harassed by her fellow students and demanded justice for her.
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