KATHMANDU: The death of Prakriti Lamsal, a 20-year-old Nepali student at KIIT University in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, has ignited widespread protests and outrage in both Nepal and India.

Lamsal’s body was found under suspicious circumstances in her hostel room on Sunday evening, which led to a series of demonstrations from Nepali students at KIIT, who were allegedly mistreated and forcibly evicted by security and outsiders.

In response to the growing concern, both the Nepali and Indian governments took swift actions on Tuesday to ensure the safety of Nepali students and guarantee a fair investigation into Lamsal’s death.

Nepal’s Political Response

In Nepal, lawmakers in the House of Representatives strongly voiced their demands for justice for Lamsal and called for immediate diplomatic intervention.

Student organizations also organized protests across the country, expressing anger over the handling of the case and the treatment of Nepali students.

Demonstrations took place in several cities, including Kathmandu, raising concerns about the safety of Nepali students in India.

The Ministry of Education issued a stern warning, stating that if adequate action was not taken, Nepal would consider suspending the issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for students planning to study in Odisha, a move that would severely impact Nepali students seeking higher education in the state.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) coordinated closely with the Nepali Embassy in New Delhi, dispatching two representatives to Bhubaneswar to assess the situation, meet with local authorities, and ensure the safety of Nepali students. The embassy also arranged counseling for those affected by the incident.

Indian Government Actions

In response to the growing pressure, the Odisha state government formed 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. Authorities assured that appropriate legal actions would be taken based on the findings.

The Bhubaneswar Police Commissioner confirmed the arrest of Advik Srivastava, a 21-year-old Indian student at KIIT, accused of abetting Lamsal’s suicide. He has been taken into judicial custody while an impartial investigation continues.

Moreover, the Odisha government took firm action against four security personnel at KIIT involved in the assault of Nepali students during their protests.

They were arrested, and a case was filed against them. A thorough investigation into the university’s role in handling the situation is underway, with authorities ensuring fairness.

The Odisha Police also set up a 24/7 helpline (+91-828033301) for Nepali students needing assistance, aiming to restore a sense of security among them.

KIIT University Under Scrutiny

The KIIT administration faced significant backlash after initially expelling nearly 700 Nepali students and leaving them stranded without proper arrangements.

In the face of intense public outcry, KIIT reversed its decision on Tuesday, allowing the expelled students to return to their hostels and resume their studies.

Additionally, the university terminated the services of two security personnel involved in the assault on Nepali students and suspended two senior hostel officers and an International Relations Office officer for mishandling the situation.

The Vice-Chancellor of KIIT issued a public apology, acknowledging the distress caused to students and pledging to take corrective measures.

Public Apologies and Social Media Response

Two female KIIT employees who made inflammatory remarks against Nepali students publicly apologized on social media.

Manjusha Pandey, a KIIT professor, issued an apology via video on Facebook and Twitter after widespread condemnation from both Nepali and Indian citizens.

The incident sparked a larger debate over the treatment of international students in India and the responsibilities of educational institutions to ensure their safety.

Diplomatic Engagement and International Response

The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu confirmed it was in direct communication with the Odisha government and KIIT administration to ensure the well-being of Nepali students and ensure justice in Lamsal’s case.

Similarly, the Nepali Embassy in New Delhi deployed a Nepal Police team to Bhubaneswar, urging for a transparent investigation.

Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba emphasized that Nepal was closely monitoring the situation and would take necessary diplomatic steps if justice was not served.

Indian authorities have assured that they are taking all necessary actions to protect Nepali students and prevent similar incidents in the future.