A tragic incident at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Odisha has led to tensions after a Nepali student, Prakriti Lamsal, was found dead in her hostel room. The third-year B.Tech student allegedly died by suicide, and a complaint filed by her cousin in Bhubaneswar claims that she was being blackmailed by a male student. The university issued a statement suggesting that Prakriti Lamsal may have been in a relationship with another student and could have taken the extreme step due to personal reasons. Bhubaneswar DCP Pinak Mishra confirmed that police have registered a case against the accused for abetment to suicide. The student is currently in custody, and authorities have seized the deceased’s mobile phone, laptop, and other belongings for investigation.
Following the incident, several Nepali students staged protests on the KIIT campus, demanding justice. Tensions escalated as reports surfaced that Nepali students were being forcibly evicted from their hostels. Some students claimed they were dropped at Cuttack Railway Station despite having upcoming exams on February 28. However, the university stated that the students were sent home for safety reasons.
Addressing the incident, Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli acknowledged the student’s death and the concerns of Nepali students at KIIT. He assured that the Nepalese government is taking the matter seriously and working through diplomatic channels. “The government is working on this matter through diplomatic channels and is in contact with the relevant authorities,” PM Oli said, as reported by ANI.
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. #Nepal #Odisha
— K P Sharma Oli (@kpsharmaoli) February 17, 2025
Additionally, the Nepalese Embassy in New Delhi has dispatched two officers to Odisha to counsel affected students. “Arrangements have been made to ensure that students have the option to either remain in their hostel or return home,” PM Oli wrote on X.
