A female student at Odisha’s KIIT University was found dead in her hostel room on Sunday evening. The cause of death has not been confirmed, but early reports suggest she died by suicide. The deceased, Prakriti Lamsal, was a third-year B.Tech student from Nepal.
Allegations and Investigation
Local media news reports indicate that she was allegedly harassed by her ex-boyfriend, a mechanical engineering student. It is suspected that issues related to her relationship may have contributed to her tragic decision.
The university released a statement confirming the incident. “A Nepali student studying in the third year of B-Tech committed suicide in the hostel yesterday. It is suspected that she was in a relationship with another student at KIIT. This may have led to the incident,” the statement read. The university also said that the matter was reported to the police immediately.
Student Protests and Rising Tensions
Following the incident, Nepali students on campus staged protests. They demanded a thorough investigation and sought the arrest of the deceased’s ex-boyfriend. Protesters also blocked roads, calling for justice and greater transparency.
University’s Response
As tensions grew, KIIT University issued a notice asking all Nepali students to vacate the campus. The statement read, “The university is closed for all international students from Nepal. They are hereby directed to vacate the university campus today, February 17.”
To control the situation, the university arranged for students to return home. “Keeping in view the situation, the Nepali students have been sent to their respective homes. The situation presently remains calm,” the university added.
Security Measures
Authorities deployed two platoons of police officers on campus to prevent further unrest. Each platoon consists of 30 officers.
A university official confirmed that the police had sealed the student’s room and moved her body to the mortuary. The authorities are waiting for her parents to arrive before proceeding with further action.
Growing Concerns
The incident has raised concerns about the treatment of international students in India. Some fear that the university’s decision to remove Nepali students may be seen as discriminatory.
KIIT University is one of India’s well-known institutions, attracting students from different countries. This incident has put the administration under scrutiny for its handling of the crisis. Many are questioning whether asking Nepali students to leave was an appropriate response.
The police continue their investigation. Authorities will review the circumstances leading up to the student’s death, including allegations of harassment.
Nepal’s diplomatic representatives in India may also intervene, as many Nepali students are affected by this decision.
This tragedy has sparked discussions about mental health awareness, student safety, and the responsibilities of educational institutions in handling sensitive matters.
For further updates on this situation, visit Nepal Monitor.
