Death of Nepalese Girl at Odisha’s KIIT College Sparks Outrage; PM Oli Responds | Key Updates

Nepalese Student’s Death at Odisha’s KIIT University Triggers Protests; PM KP Sharma Oli Responds

A tragic incident at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University in Bhubaneswar has led to widespread unrest after a third-year B.Tech student from Nepal was found dead in her hostel on Sunday.

Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli Assures Support

Following the incident, Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli stated that he learned about the case through media reports and assured that his government is actively communicating with Indian authorities. On Monday, the Nepalese embassy in New Delhi dispatched two officials to provide assistance to affected students who were allegedly forced to vacate their hostels after the tragedy.

Oli further assured that Nepalese students at KIIT will have the option to either stay in the hostel or return to Nepal, based on their individual preferences. The Nepalese embassy in India also extended condolences to the bereaved family and confirmed its ongoing discussions with the KIIT administration and Odisha state government regarding the situation.

What Led to the Student Protest at KIIT University?

• Several Nepalese students alleged that their classmate, a third-year B.Tech student, was found dead in the hostel on Sunday.
• KIIT University administration described the incident as “unfortunate” and confirmed that police have taken the accused into custody.
• The university management stated that they are taking all necessary steps to restore normalcy on campus and in hostels, ensuring that academic activities resume smoothly.
• The institution urged all Nepalese students to return to campus and continue their studies.

Controversy Over Hostel Evictions

On Monday, a circular issued by KIIT University instructed Nepalese students to vacate their hostels immediately. The notice stated that the institute was being “closed sine die” for all international students from Nepal.

However, university registrar Prof. Jnyana Ranjan Mohanty later clarified that discussions were held with the protesting students, who eventually agreed to leave the campus. He claimed that the situation had been resolved, and normalcy had been restored.

Students Speak Out: Forced Evictions & Lack of Support

Despite the university’s assurances, several Nepalese students have spoken out against the handling of the situation.

• Rajan Gupta, a Nepalese student, alleged that hostel staff forcefully entered their rooms and made them vacate without prior notice. “We were protesting for justice, but instead, we were suddenly asked to leave. Many of us have no money, no train tickets, and haven’t even eaten,” he said.
• Anil Prasad Yadav, another Nepalese student, expressed frustration over the lack of communication from the university’s International Office. “We protested peacefully overnight, demanding information. Instead of addressing our concerns, we were given just an hour to pack up and leave. Many of us don’t know how we will travel back home,” he said.

Amid rising tensions, PM Oli reiterated Nepal’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of its students in India, emphasizing that his government is working closely with Indian officials to address the situation.