Agitators stage a protest over the death of a Nepali student on the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) campus, in Bhubaneswar, on February 19, 2025.
| Photo Credit: PTI
As protests continued over the reported ill-treatment of Nepali students at Bhubaneswar-based Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), a Deemed-to-be-University, the Odisha government assured Nepal that justice would be served in the case of a student’s suicide on campus.
Chief Minister Mohan Majhi spoke with Nepali counsellors Sanjeeb Das Sharma and Navin Raj Adhikari, assuring them that justice will be served in the case of the deceased KIIT student, Prakriti.
Also read | Odisha government directs KIIT to trace Nepali students who were forced out of campus
In a posting in social media platform X, the Odisha CM also assured that peace and normalcy would be restored on the KIIT campus. He urged Nepali students to return to campus and resume their studies.
According to Chief Minister’s Office, two Ministers Mukesh Mahaling and Suryabanshi Suraj, along with Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja held discusses with Nepal representatives to ensure the restoration of normalcy at KIIT. Moreover, Nepal Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba also spoke to Mr. Suraj over the phone regarding the matter.
It is to be noted that Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli reacted to abuse of Nepali students in KIIT. Mr. Oli, in a message, had said, “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.”
A high level committee, which was formed by the State government to ascertain the circumstances leading to alleged suicide and alleged highhanded action by university authorities, visited the KIIT campus.
“As per the direction of State government, we have visited the campus, hostels and other areas. We will submit our report appropriately to the government. We have also met the Nepal delegation. The State government is fully committed to take action as per law,” Satyabrata Sahu, State Home Secretary and chairman of the committee, said.
A Nepali student at KIIT University was found dead in her hostel room on February 16, She was reported to have a strained relationship with a male friend. The incident sparked a student protest on campus.
In response, KIIT authorities took a heavy-handed approach, dropping off several students at Cuttack Railway Station without making any arrangements for their onward travel. Additionally, on February 17, the university declared a sine die closure specifically for Nepali students – a move unprecedented in any educational institution.
Meanwhile, sources indicate that Bhubaneswar police may soon question the male friend, who has since been remanded to jail.
Published – February 19, 2025 07:19 pm IST