KIIT University girl student’s death: We are not feeling safe to return hostel, say students from Nepal

Students from Nepal at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar have expressed fear and helplessness to return to their respective hostels at the university following the death of a fellow student, who allegedly ended her life, reportedly by suicide.

As per the allegations by the students from the neighbouring country, the reportedly faced physical assaults by the bouncers, KIIT security staff, and even by some faculty members for demanding justice for the deceased girl. 

The students claim that they were coerced to vacate the university premises and transported to the bus and railway stations against their will. Consequently, it is estimated that around 90% of the Nepali students have returned to Nepal.

Must Read: KIIT University girl student's death: Nepal may stop issuing NOC to students wishing to study in Odisha

Now the university authorities are demanding an undertaking from us for our return to the hostel, the students alleged, adding that we will not return to hostel until we feel safe.

“We went to seek justice but they assaulted us. Later, we were served notice to vacate girl’s hostel. Those who are returning to the hostel are being asked to submit an undertaking. I am from QC-4 hostel and I live in the third floor. The girl who committed suicide used to live in the fourth floor,” said a girl student from Nepal.

Expressing displeasure, another student from Nepal said, “The university authorities thought that they can suppress the matter by sending the students home. We have all the rights to seek justice.”

Government Forms Probe Panel

The Odisha government on Tuesday constituted a fact-finding committee to determine the circumstances that led to Prakriti’s death in KIIT hostel and what prompted the institute to issue suspension letters to students who were seeking justice.

The three-member panel will also probe why authorities of the institute did not inform the state government about its action against the students from the Himalayan kingdom.
The panel is headed by the additional chief secretary (Home). The other members are secretaries of the higher education and women and child development departments.

Bail After Few Hours of Arrest

The Commissionerate Police-Bhubaneswar arrested five officials in connection with the ongoing student unrest at KIIT University in the Capital City following the suspicious death of a Nepali girl student of the varsity on February 16 (Sunday).

Sibananda Mishra, aged 59 years, working as Director General (Human Resources); Pratap Kumar Champaty, aged 51 years, working as Director (Admn); Sudhir Kumar Rath, age 59 years, working as Director (Hostels); Ramakanta Nayak (45), working as security guard in KIIT University; Jogendra Behera (25), working as a security guard at KIIT University were arrested by the police.

However, all of them were granted bail by the Judicial Magistrate First Class-2 (JMFC-2) court hours of their arrest. The bail was accorded upon posting a surety and a bond of Rs 20,000.