New Delhi, Feb 21 (UNI) India today expressed deep sadness over the tragic death of a Nepali student at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar and assured that the government will take all necessary steps to ensure the safety, security and well-being of all Nepalese students in India.
KIIT has been embroiled in a controversy over the death of Prakriti Lamsal, a third-year B.Tech student from Butwal, who reportedly took her own life last Sunday due to persistent harassment from an Indian student.
Fellow Nepali students claimed that despite previous complaints, the university administration failed to take action against the perpetrator.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, addressing a media briefing on the issue, said:
“What happened there with the Nepali students. We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of the Nepali student at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology in Bhubaneswar. We convey our heartfelt condolences to the grieving family.
He said the Government of India accords high priority to the safety, security, and well-being of all international students in the country.
“MEA has been in constant touch with the Odisha government and KIIT authorities since the matter of the situation came to light. We have also maintained close contact with the Nepalese authority.
“Pursuant to our outreach, several steps have been taken by the Odisha government, as well as the KIIT Institute to address the situation. Odisha police has made several arrests, including the accused, and cases have been filed against these people,” he added.
He informed that the government of Odisha has constituted a high-level fact-finding committee based on whose findings appropriate legal and administrative actions shall be taken.
Jaiswal added that the Odisha government has taken steps to facilitate the return of Nepalese students to the university as several of the students had gone back, and are now returning.
“The Odisha government has also taken steps to facilitate the return of Nepalese student and ensure the safety, security, and participation in academic activities. The Odisha police, local police in Bhubaneswar, has also established a 24×7 helpline number for Nepalese students.
“We remain in regular contact with the Nepalese authorities, as also the Odisha government, to ensure real-time communication and coordination in this matter.
“Nepalese students studying in India form an important facet of the enduring people-to-people ties, links that we share with Nepal. The Government of India will continue to take all necessary actions and steps to ensure the safety and security and well-being of all Nepalese students in India,” the spokesperson said.
Over 800 Nepali students are reportedly enrolled at KIIT.
