The death of a Nepali student, Prakriti Lamsal, at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Odisha has sparked widespread outrage and demands for justice. The 20-year-old student was found dead in her hostel room on February 16, with students claiming she was being harassed by a fellow student. The incident has led to protests by Nepali students, who were subsequently forcibly evicted from their hostels by the institute's authorities. Five persons, including the Director General of HR, Director of Administration, and two security guards, were arrested in connection with the eviction and have since been granted bail.
The Odisha government has set up a high-level fact-finding committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding Lamsal's death. The committee, headed by the Additional Chief Secretary (Home), will look into the events leading up to the student's death and the subsequent actions taken by the institute's authorities. The government has also asked the institute to bring back all Nepali students who were evicted from the campus. The incident has raised concerns over the safety and well-being of international students in the state, with the government promising to take necessary steps to ensure justice is served swiftly and fairly.
The incident has also sparked a diplomatic row between India and Nepal, with the Nepali government expressing concern over the treatment of its citizens in Odisha. The Nepali Prime Minister, K P Sharma Oli, has offered relief to the distressed students and has said that the government is working on the matter through diplomatic channels. Two officers from the Nepal embassy in Delhi are likely to visit the institute to investigate the incident. The Nepali government has also warned that it may stop issuing no-objection certificates to students wishing to study in Odisha if the situation is not resolved. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with the police registering two cases in connection with the student's death and the subsequent eviction of Nepali students.
A list of key events and stakeholders' views on the incident includes:
* The Odisha government's decision to set up a high-level fact-finding committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding Lamsal's death
* The Nepali government's warning that it may stop issuing no-objection certificates to students wishing to study in Odisha if the situation is not resolved
* The institute's authorities' decision to apologize to the students and to bring back all Nepali students who were evicted from the campus
* The students' demand for a personal apology from two women officers who allegedly insulted the Nepali students and other hostel inmates
* The protests by Nepali students and the subsequent eviction of Nepali students from their hostels by the institute's authorities.
The incident has highlighted the need for greater protection and support for international students in India, particularly in private institutions. The government has promised to take necessary steps to ensure the safety and well-being of all students, regardless of their nationality. The incident has also raised questions about the accountability of private institutions and the need for greater transparency and oversight. As the investigation into the incident continues, it is clear that the death of Prakriti Lamsal has sparked a wider conversation about the rights and protections of international students in India.