Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], February 18: The tragic death of a Nepali student at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar has led to widespread outrage among students, who are now calling for justice, transparency, and improved safety measures.
On February 16, the third-year BTech student was found dead in her hostel room. Following the discovery, Nepali students staged a protest, accusing a fellow student of harassing her before her death. The protesting students have demanded the formation of an independent student body to protect their rights and ensure their safety, emphasizing concerns that this incident could happen to anyone.
“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,” one of the protesting Nepali students said.
The police arrested Advik Srivastava, the accused student, on February 17, and he was sent to judicial custody. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities seizing documents and electronic gadgets as evidence. In a statement, the Police Commissionerate assured students that the safety and security of all, including Nepali students, remain a priority.
The incident has also drawn diplomatic attention. Nepali Ambassador to India, Shankar P. Sharma, spoke with KIIT founder Achyuta Samanta to discuss the actions taken by the university, which included a public apology letter from the Vice Chancellor and the termination of certain staff members.
“Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli also expressed concern, stating that the Nepali government has taken cognizance of the incident and is pursuing the matter with India through diplomatic channels,” a statement on Facebook read. Oli’s statement also referenced reports of Nepali students being forcibly evicted from the hostel.
In response to the tragic incident, KIIT took swift action, including issuing a public apology. The university suspended two senior hostel officials and one senior administrative officer from the International Relations Office, pending further investigation. The college also terminated two security staff members involved.
“KIIT has always been a home to students from across the world, fostering a culture of inclusivity, respect, and care. We deeply regret the recent incident and reaffirm our commitment to the safety, dignity, and well-being of all our students, including our dear Nepali students,” said a letter from the Vice-Chancellor.
The university reassured students that it has set up a 24/7 control room to assist students and help facilitate their return to campus. KIIT also appealed to Nepali students who had left the campus to return and continue their studies.
The father of the deceased, Sunil Lamsal, expressed his belief that his daughter had been harassed and emotionally blackmailed. “We just know that an investigation is being done. The post-mortem report will come soon. We have the information that she was harassed and emotionally blackmailed, due to which she committed suicide,” he said.
KIIT University has promised to restore normalcy on campus while ensuring justice and safety for all students.
Tags: KIIT, Nepali Student Death, Bhubaneswar, Protest, Nepali Students, Justice, Transparency, Student Safety, KIIT University, Advik Srivastava, Harassment, Post-Mortem, Indian Education Institutions, Nepal, Diplomatic Relations, Safety Concerns