Bibisha Tamang
Wed Feb 19 2025
The tragic death of Prakriti Lamsal, a Nepali student at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Odisha, India, has raised concerns about safety and security of students studying outside the country, sparking protests, controversy, and diplomatic efforts between Nepal and India. Here’s what we know so far about the incident.
Incident Overview.
On February 16, 2025, Prakriti Lamsal, a third-year BTech student from Butwal, Nepal, was found dead in her hostel room at KIIT. According to her friends, she had been facing persistent harassment from an Indian student from her batch which ultimately resulted to the incident.
How did the university responded?
Students claim they had previously reported about the situation to the university administration, but no action was taken. Following Lmasal’s death, students staged peaceful protests demanding justice. However, instead of listening to their demands, the university administration reportedly ordered them to vacate their hostels immediately.
As a result, over 500 Nepali students were taken to railway stations in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack with instructions to leave for Nepal. However, since the next train to Nepal was only available on Thursday, many students were left stranded. Those who resisted leaving were allegedly mistreated by security personnel. The situation quickly escalated, drawing attention from the Nepali government and the media.
How Nepali Government responded?
With everything being shared on Social Media, the incident quickly caught the attention of Nepal’s parliament, where lawmakers urged the government to take immediate diplomatic and political steps to ensure the safety of Nepali students in India. During an emergency session of the House of Representatives, MPs demanded a thorough investigation into Lamsal’s death and action against those responsible.
The government has responded by taking several steps to address the situation. The Nepali Embassy in New Delhi reached out to the university administration and urged them to protect Nepali students. The Prime Minister’s Secretariat announced that two Nepali officials are sent to Odisha to counsel the affected students and coordinate with local authorities. Additionally, Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba held a telephone conversation with the Indian Ambassador to Nepal, stressing the need for immediate action to protect Nepali students in India.
Arrests and Administrative Actions
The local police has arrested 21-year-old Advik Srivastava in connection with Lamsal's death. Additionally, two university security guards were detained for allegedly mishandling the protesting students during the eviction process. KIIT's administration has since terminated the employment of these security personnel and suspended two senior hostel officials, along with a senior administrative officer from the International Relations Office, pending a thorough inquiry. Her phone, laptop, and diary have been sent for forensic examination. Meanwhile, the university has dismissed two officials who made offensive comments about Nepali students, stating that their remarks were irresponsible and do not reflect the institution’s values.
Current Situation.
Under growing pressure, KIIT reversed its decision and invited the students to return to campus if they wished. The university also set up a 24/7 control room and helpline to assist Nepali students, ensuring them that their safety would be a priority.
However, the university issued a statement suggesting that Lamsal’s death might have been related to a romantic relationship, a claim strongly denied by her peers. They insist that this was not a personal issue but a case of harassment and institutional negligence.
Lamsal’s father, Sunil Lamsal, has spoken out, demanding justice for his daughter. He stated that she was harassed and emotionally blackmailed, which ultimately led to her tragic decision. He also criticized the university’s response, saying that the administration mishandled the situation and mistreated Nepali students. He now relies on the Indian authorities to conduct a fair investigation and hopes no other Nepali student will suffer the same fate.
The situation remains tense, but with diplomatic efforts underway, both Nepal and India are working to ensure the safety of Nepali students at KIIT and address the concerns that have emerged from this heart breaking incident.
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