The death of a Nepali student at KIIT has sparked protests & heightened diplomatic tensions between Nepal and India
OdishaPlus Bureau
- Series of developments at KIIT University after the death of the Nepali girl student
- The main accused Advik Srivastava is arrested
- KIIT Director General (HR), Director (Admin) & Director (Hostels) are taken into custody
- 2 Security Guards accused for assaulting the protesting students arrested
- Uproar in State Assembly with Government & Opposition members demanding strong action
- A high-level committee of the State Government to probe into the matter led by Additional Chief Secretary Home Dept.
- Nepal Government deputes a special team to Odisha for counselling Nepali students of the University
The Indian Embassy in Nepal has assured a thorough investigation into the alleged suicide of a Nepali student Prakriti Lamsal at Odisha’s Kalinga Institute of industrial Technology, (KIIT), following widespread protests by Nepal students on campus and diplomatic concerns raised by the Nepalese government.
Prakriti Lamsal, a third year B. Tech student at KIIT was found dead in her hostel room on 16th February 2025 allegedly by suicide.
The incident triggered protests by Nepali students, who staged demonstrations, blocked roads and stormed administrative buildings demanding justice. A male student has been taken into custody in connection with the case.
Tensions escalated further when a group of Nepali students protested outside the Indian Embassy in Kathamandu, carrying placards and calling for an impartial probe. The embassy letter issued a statement urging students to return to campus and assured them of their safety and academic well-being.
The situation worsened after allegations surfaced that the KIIT authorities had evicted several Nepali students from hostels and left them at Cuttack railway station without travel arrangements. The university, however, defended its actions, stating that it had engaged in over 10 hours of counseling to de-escalate the protests but was forced to act when some demonstrators refused to cooperate and continued disrupting order.
To maintain security, two police platoons were deployed on campus and Lamsal’s room was sealed until her family arrived. Her father, Sunil Lamsal accused KIIT of mistreating Nepali students, stating, “These institutions invite students from Nepal to study here. Yet they mistreat them. My daughter’s tragic death must not be in vain.”
Odisha’s higher education minister Suryabanshi Suraj directed KIIT to facilitate the return of Nepali students to Bhubaneswar via special buses. In response, KIIT set up a 24/7 control room and helpline to assist returning students, reassuring them that their academic progress would not be affected.
KIIT founder, Achyuta Samanta, spoke with Nepal’s Ambassador to India – Dr. Shankar P Sharma to outline the measures taken, including the termination of two security staffs and the suspension of three senior hostel and administrative officers. A formal apology was issued by the Vice-Chancellor, reaffirming the institute’s commitment to inclusively and student safety.
“KIIT has always been a home to students from across the world, fostering a culture of inclusivity, respect, and care. We deeply regret the recent incident and reaffirm our commitment to the safety, dignity, and well-being of all our students, including our dear Nepali students,” as described in a social media post by KIIT University while sharing ‘Letter of Apology’ by the Vice-Chancellor of KIIT University.
The incident has drawn significant attention from the Nepalese government with Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli expressing concern. He confirmed that Nepal had deployed two officers to counsel the students and provided them with the option of staying in their hostels or returning home. Oli also stated that Nepal was pursuing the matter through diplomatic channels with India.
Taking to X (Formerly Twitter), Oli tweeted, “Our Embassy in New Delhi has dispatched two officers to counsel Nepali students affected in Odisha.”
Additionally, arrangements have been made to ensure they have the option to either remain in their hostel or return home, based on their preference.
The controversy has reached the state assembly, with opposition leaders critising the handling of the situation. Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati called for a judicial inquiry, condemning the treatment of Nepali students and warning of further protests if justice was not served. BJP legislators also weighed in, highlighting similar criminal cases against the institution and questioning the state government’s response.
Meanwhile, 21-year-old Advik Srivastava from Lucknow has been arrested in this connection with the case. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Lamsal’s death, with police assuring a fair and transparent probe.
