BHUBANESWAR, Odisha — Tensions escalated at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar following the tragic death of 20-year-old Prakriti Lamsal, a third-year B.Tech (Computer Science) student from Nepal. The incident, which has sparked widespread protests, led to the eviction of over 500 Nepali students from the campus and their subsequent drop-off at the Cuttack railway station by the university authorities.
In response to the unrest, the Odisha government on Tuesday established a three-member committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding Lamsal’s death, the alleged mistreatment of students by university staff, and the controversial decision to close the university “sine die” for Nepali students. The committee is tasked with looking into the reasons behind these actions and ensuring accountability.
The government also instructed KIIT to locate the evicted students, provide counseling for those affected by the incident, and facilitate their return to campus to continue their studies.
Student’s Death Leads to Protests
Lamsal’s death, which authorities believe to be a suicide, occurred in her hostel room and led to widespread protests among her peers. Many students, particularly from Nepal, took to the campus to demand justice and accountability. The university, in response to the growing protests, issued a notice declaring the closure of the campus for all international students from Nepal.
On Monday, in what has been described as a shocking and harsh move, KIIT officials forcibly dropped the protesting students at the Cuttack railway station, located 30 kilometers from the campus. This action ignited further anger and backlash, both from the students and the public.
The death of Lamsal and the subsequent treatment of her fellow students has attracted national attention. Police have registered two separate cases — one linked to the suicide, prompted by a complaint from Lamsal’s cousin, and another regarding the physical abuse of students during the protest, which was reportedly captured in a social media video.
Father of Deceased Student Speaks Out
The grief-stricken father of Prakriti Lamsal, Sunil Lamsal, called for justice, stating that the tragic loss of his daughter should not happen to any other family. After the post-mortem at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, the Odisha police handed over her body to her family. Sunil Lamsal emphasized the importance of holding those responsible for the mistreatment of students accountable.
Political Outcry and Government Response
The incident has stirred up political tensions in the state. Members of the Odisha Legislative Assembly have voiced strong concerns, demanding swift action against the founder of KIIT, Achyuta Samanta, and calling for disciplinary measures against the university for its role in the assault on the students.
State Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj questioned the university’s decision to close the campus for Nepali students and criticized the handling of the situation. He also raised concerns about the absence of consultation with the Higher Education Department before such decisions were made.
By Tuesday evening, reports indicated that around 100 Nepali students had managed to return to the KIIT campus, but the fate of the remaining 800 students, some of whom had already begun traveling back to Nepal by bus, remained uncertain. Minister Suraj assured that KIIT had been directed to offer counseling to the students and help them resume their studies.
Nepal Government Weighs In
The government of Nepal, deeply concerned by the events at KIIT, has taken a strong stance on the matter. Nepal’s Ministry of Education warned that it may halt the issuance of no-objection certificates for Nepali students wishing to study in Odisha unless the situation is resolved fairly and legally.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Ministry appealed for patience from the affected students and their families, while also informing the public that a help desk had been established to address the issues caused by the incident. The Nepalese government assured that diplomatic channels were being used to resolve the issue, and that efforts were underway to ensure a peaceful and conducive environment for the students to resume their studies.
Continued Fallout
The incident has placed a significant strain on the reputation of KIIT, one of Odisha’s premier private universities, and raised broader questions about the treatment of international students in the region. While the university has claimed that some of its officials have been suspended for their role in the events, the situation remains fluid, with ongoing investigations and diplomatic efforts aimed at ensuring justice for Lamsal and a resolution for the displaced students.
The death of Prakriti Lamsal and the subsequent actions taken by the university have left a deep scar on both the students and their families, and the unfolding developments will likely shape the future of international student relations in Odisha.
