KATHMANDU: The death of Prakriti Lamsal, a 20-year-old Nepali student studying at KIIT University in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, has sparked widespread outrage in both Nepal and India.
The situation escalated after reports surfaced that Lamsal’s body was found under suspicious circumstances in her hostel room on Sunday evening. This led to protests from Nepali students at KIIT, who faced mistreatment and forceful eviction by security personnel and outsiders.
Following the incident, both the Nepali and Indian governments took a series of decisive actions on Tuesday to address growing concerns, ensure the safety of Nepali students, and guarantee a fair investigation into Lamsal’s death.
The response came amid rising diplomatic and political pressure, as the case gained significant attention in both countries.
Political and governmental response in Nepal
In Nepal, the House of Representatives witnessed heated discussions, with lawmakers demanding justice for Lamsal and urging the government to take immediate diplomatic action.
Various student organizations staged protests throughout Tuesday, denouncing the handling of the case and the mistreatment of Nepali students. Demonstrations were held in multiple cities, including Kathmandu, as students voiced their concerns over the safety of Nepali nationals studying in India.
The Ministry of Education also issued a strong statement, warning that if appropriate action was not taken, the Nepali government could suspend the issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for students planning to study in Odisha. Such a move would significantly impact Nepali students aspiring to pursue higher education in the Indian state.
At the same time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) of Nepal remained in close coordination with the Nepali Embassy in New Delhi. Two representatives from the embassy were dispatched to Bhubaneswar to assess the situation firsthand, engage with local authorities, and ensure the safety of Nepali students. The embassy also made counseling arrangements for those affected by the traumatic events at KIIT.
Actions taken by the Indian authorities
In response to growing pressure, the Odisha state government intervened, forming a high-level fact-finding committee led by the Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department.
The committee was tasked with investigating both Lamsal’s death and the reported mistreatment of Nepali students. Officials assured that the findings would lead to appropriate legal and administrative actions against those responsible.
The Bhubaneswar Police Commissionerate confirmed the arrest of 21-year-old Advik Srivastava, an Indian student at KIIT who was accused of abetting Lamsal’s suicide. He was taken into judicial custody, and authorities stated that the investigation was being conducted fairly and objectively.
Apart from the criminal investigation, the Odisha government also took strict action against four KIIT security personnel who were involved in assaulting Nepali students during their protests. They were arrested, and a case was registered against them. The police also assured that an impartial probe would be conducted into the university’s handling of the situation.
Additionally, the Odisha Police set up a 24/7 helpline number (+91-828033301) for Nepali students needing assistance. This measure was introduced to provide immediate support and to restore a sense of security among the students.
University administration under scrutiny
The KIIT administration faced severe backlash for its role in the crisis. The university had initially responded by expelling nearly 700 Nepali students, leaving them stranded at railway stations without proper arrangements. However, as public outcry intensified, KIIT found itself under immense pressure to take corrective measures.
On Tuesday, the university reversed its controversial decision, withdrawing the ‘sine die’ order that had expelled Nepali students. The administration urged students to return to their hostels and resume their studies, assuring that no further punitive action would be taken against them.
Further, KIIT terminated the services of two security personnel who had been involved in the assault on Nepali students. It also suspended two senior hostel officers and an officer from the International Relations Office for their failure to handle the situation responsibly.
In a public statement, the Vice-Chancellor of KIIT issued an apology, expressing regret over the mistreatment of students. He acknowledged that the comments and actions of some staff members had caused distress and assured that the administration was taking necessary steps to improve the situation.
Public apologies and social media outcry
As the controversy deepened, two female KIIT employees who had made inflammatory remarks against Nepali students came forward and apologized publicly on social media.
Manjusha Pandey, who identified herself as a professor at KIIT, also issued an apology through a video message on her Facebook page and Twitter account.
These apologies came after widespread condemnation from both Nepali and Indian citizens, who demanded accountability for the handling of the case. The incident sparked a broader debate about the treatment of international students in India and the responsibility of educational institutions to ensure their safety.
Diplomatic engagement and international pressure
Recognizing the sensitivity of the issue, the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu confirmed that it was in direct communication with the Odisha government and KIIT administration. The embassy assured that steps were being taken to ensure the well-being of Nepali students and that justice would be served in Lamsal’s case.
Similarly, the Nepali Embassy in New Delhi deployed a Nepal Police team to Bhubaneswar, emphasizing the need for a transparent and impartial investigation. Foreign Minister Dr Arzu Rana Deuba stated that Nepal was closely monitoring developments and would take necessary diplomatic actions if justice was not served.
Meanwhile, Indian authorities assured that all necessary steps would be taken to protect Nepali students and prevent similar incidents in the future.
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