Odisha Government Directs KIIT to Take Action Against Unruly Employees After Nepalese Student’s Suicide

The Odisha government has intervened in the ongoing controversy at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) following the tragic suicide of a Nepalese student, Prakriti Lamsal. The state authorities have instructed the private institute to take strict action against employees accused of mistreating Nepalese students. This directive came a day after Nepal’s Foreign Minister, Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, spoke with Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, urging for the removal of the staff involved in the alleged misconduct.

Government’s Response and Directives

A senior official confirmed that the Odisha government has urged KIIT authorities to act swiftly to restore the confidence of Nepalese students. “We have already issued an instruction to the KIIT authorities to take prompt action to restore the confidence of Nepalese students who have not returned to the campus so far,” the official told PTI.

The Nepalese government has also raised concerns about the safety of its students, fearing possible reprisals if the accused staff members remain in their positions. Many Nepalese students, numbering nearly 1,000 at KIIT, have refrained from returning to the campus despite the institution’s assurances and formal apology.

Incident Leading to the Unrest

The crisis began following the death of 20-year-old Prakriti Lamsal, whose body was found in her hostel room on February 16. While the institute was celebrating its foundation day, she was reportedly alone in the hostel. The situation escalated when Nepalese students demanded to see the body and sought justice. In response, certain KIIT staff members allegedly attacked them, leading to mass evictions from the hostels.

Several students, including girls, were forcibly evicted and left at a railway station far from Bhubaneswar without train tickets. Many students are still traumatized by the incident and fear returning to campus.

Legal and Institutional Actions

Following an investigation that included CCTV footage analysis, the police arrested ten KIIT employees, including director-level officials, security guards, and other staff members involved in the alleged assault. Additionally, the KIIT administration has taken disciplinary actions:

Two security staff members were terminated from service.
Two senior hostel officials and one senior administrative officer from the International Relations Office (IRO) were suspended pending an inquiry.

The KIIT administration has also publicly apologized for the distress caused by its staff and the derogatory comments made towards the Nepalese students.

Nepalese Government’s Stand

The Nepalese government remains deeply concerned about the safety of its students. Officials have voiced their apprehensions regarding potential retaliation against the students still residing at KIIT. Nepalese authorities have demanded strict action against the perpetrators and urged for preventive measures to ensure the security of Nepalese students in India.

Future Implications

This incident has sparked a significant debate about the treatment of international students in Indian institutions. With increasing numbers of students from neighboring countries choosing India for higher education, the need for stronger policies to protect their rights has become evident.

The Odisha government’s intervention signals the gravity of the situation and the necessity for institutions to uphold ethical and humane standards in dealing with student grievances. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining how KIIT and Odisha’s educational administration handle the aftermath of this controversy and rebuild trust among its international student community.

Conclusion

The tragic events at KIIT have brought attention to the vulnerabilities faced by international students in India. As investigations continue and authorities work towards restoring normalcy, the incident serves as a wake-up call for universities to ensure the safety, dignity, and rights of their students, irrespective of nationality.

Stay tuned for further updates as this situation unfolds.

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