KIIT University threatening students not to give placements, alleges student amid unrest over Nepal girl's death

At a time when the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar is witnessing a massive protest with students demanding justice for a girl student from Nepal, who ended her life, allegedly by suicide, allegations of threats by the University authorities have surfaced.

As per the allegations of the students, the University authorities are threatening them that none from their batch will get placement.

While taking out a rally demanding a justice for the deceased girl student, a student of the KIIT University alleged that they are being threatened that none from their batch will get a placement.

“When some of the students went to the university authorities to enquire about campus placement, they were told no one from our batch will get a placement,” said a student.

“Though the accused has been arrested, we are unaware of what is going to happen next. The situation could have been avoided and the life of the girl student could have been saved,” said a protesting student.

Expressing displeasure another protesting student said, “The accused has been arrested. But, he will granted bail after staying in jail for few days. What about that girl who had come a far way with many hopes and expectation? The girl had to gone through a lot.” 

However, no comments from the KIIT authorities could be obtained over the allegations made by the students.

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 after their arrest. The bail was accorded upon posting a surety and a bond of Rs 20,000.