February 20th 2025.
Amidst the ongoing uproar surrounding the tragic death of a third-year student at KIIT University and the subsequent repercussions faced by protesting Nepalese students, the university's founder, Achyuta Samanta, has been summoned to appear before a high-level committee set up by the government of Odisha to conduct an investigation into the matter.
In a letter addressed to Samanta on Thursday, the Higher Education Department requested his presence at the State Guest House at 6:30 pm on February 21st, 2025. The purpose of this meeting is for Samanta to provide evidence, along with any relevant documents, in relation to the terms of reference outlined in the office order.
The three-member committee, led by Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department, Satyabrata Sahu, is tasked with uncovering the circumstances leading to the student's suicide, allegations of mistreatment by the university authorities, the decision to issue notices to a specific group of students and suspending them from the institute, and any other relevant information that may arise during the inquiry.
During their visit to the KIIT campus on Wednesday, the committee members met with some of the Nepalese students who were reportedly mistreated by the university staff for participating in a protest on campus.
In response to the situation, Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj stated that the high-level committee holds the authority to summon any individual for the purpose of investigation, and is operating within the boundaries of the law. He also affirmed the government's commitment to protecting the rights of students and mentioned that officials from the Nepal Embassy have been informed of the developments.
The unrest at KIIT University erupted after the tragic suicide of a 20-year-old Nepalese student, Prakriti Lamsal, on Sunday afternoon. In the wake of this incident, other Nepalese students staged protests demanding justice. In response, the KIIT authorities issued suspension notices to approximately 1,000 Nepalese students and instructed them to leave the campus on Monday.
In a separate development, the Commissioner of Police, S Dev Datta Singh, shared that a 21-year-old engineering student, who was arrested for allegedly aiding in the woman's suicide, has been granted a three-day remand. The student was apprehended at the Biju Patnaik International Airport while attempting to flee the city on Sunday evening, shortly after the woman's death. He has been accused of blackmailing and verbally abusing her.
Following the intervention of the Central and state governments, the KIIT authorities apologized and urged the Nepalese students to return to the campus. The state government has also set up a 24-hour help desk to facilitate the safe return of the Nepalese students.
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