Nearly 1,000 out of 1,100 Nepalese students who had left KIIT University following the February 16 unrest have returned to campus, the private university claimed on Friday. This comes amid an ongoing investigation by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and Odisha Police into the alleged suicidal death of a B.Tech student, Prakriti Lamsal.
The university’s statement was issued after Odisha’s Higher Education Minister, Suryabanshi Suraj, informed the Assembly about the formation of a professor committee to ensure a proper academic environment on campus.
February 16 Incident and Fallout
The crisis began after 20-year-old Prakriti Lamsal, a Nepalese student, was found dead in her hostel room at KIIT on February 16. Following her death, Nepalese students staged protests, demanding justice. However, reports surfaced that university employees allegedly evicted, verbally abused, and physically assaulted them.
The situation escalated to the extent that Nepal’s Prime Minister, K P Sharma Oli, expressed concern over the treatment of Nepalese students by KIIT authorities. The university later apologized and urged the students to return.
Odisha Government’s Response
To address the issue, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi assured the safety of Nepalese students. The state government has set up a helpdesk and launched a dedicated International Student Facilitation Cell to assist foreign students across universities in the state.
In a statement, KIIT thanked the central government, the Ministry of External Affairs, the Odisha Government, and the Nepalese Government, along with the Nepalese Embassy in New Delhi, for facilitating the students’ return.
NHRC and Odisha Police Probe
The NHRC inquiry team, led by Registrar Joginder Singh, is conducting an on-spot investigation into the student’s death and the alleged harassment of Nepalese students. The team has collected evidence from Odisha Police, interacted with KIIT authorities, and spoken to students. The commission has directed the team to submit its findings by March 10.
Additionally, the Odisha government’s high-level committee, headed by the Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department, is also probing the incident. Meanwhile, Odisha Police have arrested 11 people, including one engineering student, on charges of abetment to suicide.
KIIT’s Efforts to Restore Normalcy
The university claimed that it took immediate steps in coordination with law enforcement to restore normalcy on campus. It has engaged in a continuous dialogue with the Nepalese Embassy, student representatives, and parents to reassure them about safety and support.
With Nepalese students returning, KIIT said they have come back with “renewed confidence” and reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining an inclusive, safe, and academically enriching environment for all students.
Sources By Agencies
