Kathmandu – A high-level fact-finding committee has been formed in India under the leadership of the Chief Secretary to investigate the incident at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University in Odisha.

A high-level fact-finding committee has been formed under the leadership of the Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department regarding the death of Nepali student Prakriti Lamsal and related incidents. Stating that it is in constant touch with the KIIT College regarding this incident, the Embassy in Kathmandu has said that appropriate legal and administrative action will be taken based on the findings of the high-level committee.

Similarly, reports of misbehavior against students are also being investigated and those responsible will be held accountable as per the law.

Following the mysterious death of Nepali student Lamsal at KIIT University, Nepali students there had staged a protest demanding an investigation into the incident. In the meantime, news that the college administration had expelled the students from the college instead of helping them went viral on social media. After widespread protests on social media, the Indian police reached the railway station at 11 pm to stop the Nepali students.

Along with this, the Odisha state government has taken information about this matter and has arrested the security guards involved in this and taken suspension measures against the erring officials.

In the meantime, the Bhubaneswar Police Commissionerate has informed that a criminal case has been registered against the accused student and he has been arrested and sent to judicial custody. The Odisha Police has assured an objective, impartial and fair investigation into this case. The Odisha Police has taken note of the misbehavior committed by the KIIT security personnel on the students and has registered a criminal case against them.

From hotline number to apology

The Odisha Police has provided a 24-hour helpline number 91-8280338301 for Nepali students. Nepali students in need of help can contact this.

The Odisha government has expressed its commitment to ensure the safety, dignity and well-being of all students, including Nepali students, and has assured that it will take all necessary steps to ensure speedy and fair justice.

Similarly, KIIT has also withdrawn the ‘indefinite’ order and appealed to Nepali students to return to campus and resume their classes. It has also set up a dedicated 24×7 control room on the campus to facilitate the return of Nepali students to their home countries.

Similarly, KIIT has also terminated the services of two security guards, suspended two senior hostel officers and questioned a senior officer of the International Relations Office pending investigation.

The Vice Chancellor of KIIT has also expressed regret for the comments and behaviour of his staff and issued a public apology and appealed to all Nepali students to join regular education.

The Indian government has also expressed its commitment to take all necessary steps to ensure the well-being of Nepali students in India.