KIIT University row: Nepali community meets Police Commissioner, demands justice for deceased and safety of other students

A fervent plea for justice is echoing in Bhubaneswar as the Nepali community gathered to demand action after the tragic death of a Nepali girl student from the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar. The incident has brought to light allegations of harassment faced by Nepali students in Odisha’s capital city.

Representatives from the Nepali community staying in Odisha held a crucial meeting with the Police Commissioner in Bhubaneswar on Friday. They emphasised the need for stringent actions against those reportedly involved and underscored the importance of ensuring safety and security for the Nepali students residing in Bhubaneswar.

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In an official move, a memorandum outlining these demands was formally submitted to the Police Commissioner. This document seeks not only justice for the deceased but also the establishment of protective measures for the entire students’ community.

“We are demanding an impartial probe into the death of the girl student Prakriti Lamsal. We are also demanding the creation of a safe environment for the other Nepalese students who were ill treated at the varsity. We have got support from the Odisha government and the officials are listening to our demands,” said a member of the delegation.

Apprehension Regarding More Unrest

The representatives candidly voiced their concerns, drawing attention to the sense of vulnerability prevalent within the Nepali student community. The delegation called for immediate and effective interventions from local authorities to address these issues. 

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“The way the students were driven out of KIIT, the varsity should ensure measures for their safe return. There have been attacks on students in the past. Now the incident has caught global attention. We have discussed various issues with senior officials of Commissionerate Police today,” the member of the delegation said.

The tension surrounding this tragic event is palpable, with many looking to the police and administration to guarantee the well-being and security of students from the neighbouring country of Nepal who have chosen to pursue their education in India.

Questioning by the High-Level Committee

The High Level probe committee set-up by the Odisha government to look into the matter at KIIT University, questioned the officials of the varsity on Friday. Several officials had been summoned to appear before the panel. KIIT Founder Achyuta Samanta also appeared before the panel for questioning. Samanta was reportedly questioned by the panel for two and a half hours in connection with the suspicious death of a girl student in the university and the subsequent student unrest triggered by it.