KIIT Student’s Tragic Death Sparks International Outcry and Intervention
The recent tragic death of Prakriti Lamsal, a third-year BTech Computer Science student from Nepal at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), has ignited significant controversy and drawn international attention. The incident has led to allegations of harassment, student protests, and intervention from the highest levels of the Nepalese government.
Incident Overview
On a somber Sunday afternoon, the lifeless body of 20-year-old Prakriti Lamsal was discovered in her hostel room at KIIT. Authorities reported that she had taken her own life by hanging herself from the ceiling fan. Preliminary investigations suggest that strained relations with her boyfriend may have been a contributing factor. Further compounding the tragedy, Prakriti’s cousin lodged a police complaint alleging that she was being blackmailed by a male student, which may have driven her to this desperate act.
Campus Unrest and Student Protests
The news of Prakriti’s untimely demise sent shockwaves through the KIIT campus, particularly among the Nepalese student community. In a spontaneous act of solidarity and protest, Nepalese students blocked the road near the campus, demanding justice and immediate action. The situation escalated when, on Monday morning, the university administration instructed Nepalese students to vacate the campus immediately, citing safety concerns.
This abrupt directive left many students in a state of distress. A significant number reported difficulties in securing transportation back to Nepal, with some stranded due to the unavailability of train tickets. One Nepalese student voiced the collective frustration, stating, “We have been asked to vacate the hostel.” The students further alleged that Prakriti’s tragic decision was a result of the authorities’ failure to address her grievances in a timely manner.
Administrative Response and Reversal
In response to the mounting unrest and growing allegations, the KIIT administration issued a statement later that evening, urging the Nepalese students to return to the campus. The university emphasized its commitment to restoring normalcy and resuming academic activities without further disruption.
Dr. Shradhanjali Nayak, Director of KIIT, refuted claims of harassment and forceful eviction. She clarified, “After we came to know about the students’ difficulties, we asked them to return. There has been no forceful eviction. We have 500 Nepalese students. As tension prevails, many prefer to go to their homes. We still have more than 150 students on our campus. We appeal to all to return.”
International Intervention
The gravity of the situation transcended national borders, prompting Nepal’s Prime Minister, K. P. Sharma Oli, to intervene. He took to social media, stating, “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.”
Concurrently, the Embassy of India in Kathmandu expressed deep sorrow over the incident. In an official release, the embassy conveyed its condolences and confirmed that it was in close contact with KIIT authorities and the Odisha government. The statement highlighted that local authorities had initiated a thorough investigation into the unfortunate event and that KIIT had appealed to the students to return to the campus.
Ongoing Investigation and Allegations
Bhubaneswar’s Deputy Commissioner of Police, Pinak Mishra, confirmed that a male student, suspected of abetting Prakriti’s suicide, had been detained for questioning. Allegations have surfaced suggesting that the victim endured months of harassment by her male friend. Disturbingly, despite multiple reports to the university’s international relations department, students claim that adequate support was not provided.
Adding to the controversy, an audio clip has emerged, purportedly capturing the accused verbally abusing and harassing Prakriti. This evidence has intensified calls for a comprehensive and transparent investigation to ensure justice is served.
Student Voices and Social Media Outcry
ABVP strongly condemns the suppression of students protesting the tragic death of Prakriti Lamsal at KIIT, Odisha. Asking Nepali students to vacate the campus is illegal & an attack on Bharat-Nepal relations. We demand a fair investigation & action against those responsible.
The… pic.twitter.com/M5BOiczFBg
— ABVP (@ABVPVoice) February 17, 2025
The incident has also created a lot of commotion on social media platforms.
Such testimonies underscore the palpable fear and uncertainty gripping the Nepalese student community at KIIT. The situation calls for immediate and empathetic intervention from university authorities to rebuild trust and ensure the safety and well-being of all students.
