By The Sampadak Express
Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has responded to the tragic suicide of Prakriti Lamsal, a third-year B-Tech student from Nepal, at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Lamsal, who was studying at the private university, was found dead in her hostel room on Sunday evening, triggering widespread protests from fellow students.
In reaction to the incident, Oli acknowledged the tragedy and assured the public that the Nepali Embassy in New Delhi had taken immediate steps to support the affected students. Through a post on his official social media handle, he revealed that the embassy had dispatched two officers to Odisha to provide counseling services to Nepali students who were distressed by the incident.
Additionally, the Prime Minister shared that the embassy had made arrangements for the students, allowing them the option to either stay in their hostel or return to Nepal, depending on their personal preference. “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,” Oli wrote.
This development follows the tragic death of Lamsal, which has sparked outrage among students at KIIT and across the Nepali community. Protests erupted on the university campus, with students accusing the university authorities of mishandling the situation and attempting to cover up the circumstances surrounding Lamsal’s death.
Protesting students, including many Nepali nationals, gathered in large numbers on campus, demanding justice for Lamsal and transparency in the investigation. Videos shared on social media depicted students chanting slogans, confronting university officials, and calling for accountability. Many students voiced their anger over what they perceived as a lack of clarity from the university regarding the incident.
KIIT’s official statement suggested that Lamsal’s death might have been linked to a personal relationship, speculating that a love affair with another student at the university could have contributed to the tragedy. “A Nepali student studying in the third year of B-Tech committed suicide in the hostel yesterday. It is suspected that the student was in a love affair with another student studying at KIIT. It is suspected that the student may have committed suicide due to some reason,” the statement read.
However, the university’s handling of the incident has raised further questions. Following the death, the university instructed all international students from Nepal to vacate the campus. This move led to frustration among Nepali students, who argued that the decision was unreasonable, particularly considering the short notice given to arrange for travel. Many students voiced concerns over the lack of support from the university, demanding that the authorities ensure the safety and well-being of international students.
The situation has drawn significant attention, with both Nepali students and the public calling for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Lamsal’s death and a review of the university’s response to the incident. The matter continues to unfold, with students and authorities alike waiting for clarity on the cause of the tragedy and how the university will address the growing concerns.
