February 19th 2025.
The tragic death of an engineering student from Nepal, Prakriti Lamsal, has sparked outrage and concern over the safety and well-being of international students at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar. The state government, led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, has assured the Nepalese embassy officials that justice will be served for Prakriti and other students who have allegedly been mistreated by the staff of the private institution.
The Nepal Prime Minister, K P Sharma Oli, had taken note of the incident and sent two officials from the embassy in New Delhi to discuss the matter with the state government and students. Despite being on a tour to another state, CM Majhi took the time to speak to the officials over the phone and assure them of the government's commitment to delivering justice.
The embassy officials, Sanjeeb Das Sharma and Navin Raj Adhikari, held a meeting with Odisha's Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Mahaling and Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, along with Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja at the State Guest House. According to a statement from the Chief Minister's Office, CM Majhi promised the embassy officials that they will do everything in their power to ensure justice for Prakriti.
Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, Foreign Minister of Nepal, also spoke with Odisha's Higher Education Minister over the phone to discuss the issue. Minister Suraj informed the Nepalese officials about the steps taken by the state government and they appreciated the efforts. A high-level committee has been formed to investigate the circumstances surrounding Prakriti's death and the alleged mistreatment of Nepalese students.
During their visit to the KIIT campus, the committee, led by additional chief secretary Satyabrata Sahu, held discussions with a section of students and officials. They assured that a thorough investigation will be conducted and appropriate legal and administrative action will be taken based on their findings. The police have also requested permission from the court to take the sole accused on remand for further interrogation.
However, the situation on the KIIT campus remains tense as student organizations have been staging protests demanding justice for Prakriti. The institute has apologized and requested the Nepalese students to return to the campus, but many are still fearful and hesitant to do so. The Odisha government's assurance has brought some relief to the Nepalese students, who have faced traumatic experiences, including being forced out of the campus and left at Cuttack railway station.
Preeti, a student from Nepal, shared her perspective, "We were forced to vacate the hostel without any fault of ours. The students from Nepal were agitated over the death of Prakriti as her previous pleadings with the authorities were ignored. She died by suicide out of frustration." The students have also received support from various student organizations, including ABVP, AISF, NSUI, and Nav Nirman Chhatra Sangathan.
In conclusion, the state government has taken swift action in response to this tragic incident, and the promise of justice has brought some solace to the Nepalese students. The investigation is ongoing, and all necessary measures will be taken to ensure the safety and well-being of all students at KIIT. Prakriti, who was a daughter of Nepal, will also be remembered as a daughter of Odisha, and her death will not go in vain.
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