The recent tragic death of Prakriti Lamsal, a 20-year-old Nepali student at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, has ignited widespread protests and raised serious concerns about the institution's handling of the incident.
Incident Overview
On February 16, 2025, Prakriti Lamsal, a third-year B.Tech Computer Science student, was found deceased in her hostel room. Preliminary reports suggest that she died by suicide, allegedly due to persistent harassment and emotional blackmail by a fellow student, Advik Srivastava. Despite prior complaints lodged by Lamsal, the university administration reportedly failed to take appropriate action.
Allegations of Institutional Negligence
Following Lamsal's death, over 500 Nepali students at KIIT staged protests, accusing the university of negligence and demanding justice. In response, the university administration issued a 'sine die' (indefinite closure) notice, instructing all Nepali students to vacate the campus immediately. This abrupt directive left many students stranded without proper travel arrangements.
During the evacuation, reports emerged of university security personnel manhandling Nepali students, further intensifying the unrest. Videos circulating online depict security staff engaging in aggressive behavior towards the protesting students.
Administrative Response and Apology
Amid mounting pressure, KIIT rescinded the eviction order and issued a formal apology. The university announced the termination of two security staff members involved in the misconduct and suspended three senior officials pending an inquiry. A dedicated control room was established to assist Nepali students in returning to campus safely.
Arrests and Legal Proceedings
The primary accused, Advik Srivastava, was arrested and placed in judicial custody. Additionally, five university staff members were detained for allegedly assaulting Nepali students during the forced eviction. These developments have prompted both political and diplomatic interventions, with Nepal's government expressing deep concern over the safety and well-being of its students abroad.
Conclusion
The tragic death of Prakriti Lamsal has cast a spotlight on the critical need for educational institutions to address harassment complaints with utmost seriousness and to ensure the safety and dignity of all students. As investigations continue, there is a collective call for justice for Prakriti and systemic reforms to prevent such incidents in the future.
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