Following a tragic incident at an Odisha university, 159 Nepali students have returned to Nepal. This came after the death of Prakriti Lamsal, a 20-year-old Nepalese student at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Odisha. Prakriti, a third-year B.Tech student, allegedly died by suicide in her hostel room on February 16.
The students arrived back in Nepal through the Raxaul border by Thursday evening. These students were studying in various courses at KIIT, which has around 1,000 Nepalese students.
The Tragic Event at KIIT
Prakriti Lamsal’s death shocked the entire student community at the university. Her body was found in her hostel room on February 16. This led to unrest on the campus. After the incident, the college ordered all Nepalese students to vacate the hostel. This decision caused fear and confusion among the students.
Many Nepalese students felt unsafe and pressured to leave. This led them to decide to return home. They said the university did not provide support during the crisis. They feared for their safety after the tragic event.
Diplomatic Action Taken by Nepal
In response to the situation, the government of Nepal quickly acted. Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba was returning from the 8th Indian Ocean Summit in Oman when she addressed the media. She assured the public that the Nepalese government had resolved the issue with India through diplomatic channels.
Deuba said, “We took the issue seriously and communicated with Indian authorities to ensure the safety of our students. A high-level committee was formed by the Odisha government to investigate the cause of Prakriti’s death.”
She confirmed that a fair investigation would be conducted. The Nepalese government also worked to ensure a safe environment for Nepalese students. This would allow them to return to their hostels and continue their studies.
Investigation and Apology from the University
Deuba spoke about her talks with Suryabanshi Suraj, the Odisha Higher Education Minister. She mentioned that the Odisha government had taken action and apologized for the incident. The college also took action against staff members who had reportedly misbehaved with Nepalese students.
The Foreign Minister praised the steps taken by the Odisha government in response to Nepal’s concerns. She said that the college’s actions showed their commitment to resolving the issue and ensuring the safety of Nepalese students at the university.
Protests and Public Outcry
The tragic death of Prakriti Lamsal sparked protests and public outcry in Nepal. On Thursday evening, a candlelight march was held in Birgunj, Parsa district. People gathered to honor Prakriti’s memory and demand justice. They lit candles and carried banners that expressed solidarity with her family.
In Rupandehi, the home district of Prakriti, students organized a protest rally. They too demanded justice for the late student. Protestors expressed anger at how Nepalese students were treated at KIIT. They also called for a thorough investigation into Prakriti’s death.
The protest in Rupandehi was attended by many students and local residents. They chanted “Justice for Prakriti” as they marched through the streets. Protestors also raised concerns about the treatment of Nepalese students abroad, urging that better safeguards be put in place to protect them.
Government’s Response
The Nepalese government acted quickly to ensure that students were safe. Foreign Minister Deuba said that the government would continue to monitor the situation. They would also ensure fair treatment for Nepalese students studying abroad.
Both the Nepalese and Indian governments worked together to resolve the issue. Nepal’s quick action, combined with the Odisha government’s response, helped restore some calm. However, questions remain about the safety of Nepalese students at foreign universities.
The tragic death of Prakriti Lamsal has deeply affected her family and the student community. It also raises questions about the support systems in place for students studying abroad. The pressure of studying in a foreign country can be overwhelming, especially when students face challenges like isolation or mental health issues.
The incident has led to calls for more action. Many people hope that such a tragedy will lead to stronger safeguards for international students. They want to ensure that future incidents like this do not happen again.
While the immediate crisis has been addressed, the issue of student safety abroad remains a concern. Prakriti Lamsal’s death highlights the need for better support systems for Nepalese students. It also shows how important it is for universities to take swift and effective action in such situations.
The Nepalese government will continue to work with Indian authorities to ensure that students are safe. As investigations continue into Prakriti’s death, the hope is that more steps will be taken to protect students and prevent similar incidents in the future.
For more updates on this situation and other news affecting Nepalese students abroad, visit Nepal Monitor.
