KATHMANDU: Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, has agreed to allow over 700 Nepali students to return to their hostels and resume their studies.
On Sunday, the university had forcibly evicted these students, using police force and baton charges, after they protested the mysterious death of Nepali student Prakriti Lamsal.
Following diplomatic intervention, the Nepali Embassy in New Delhi issued a statement on Monday, confirming that KIIT had agreed to provide hostel accommodations and continue classes for Nepali students.
“The embassy requested the university to ensure the safety of Nepali students and make arrangements for them to stay in hostels while continuing their studies,” the statement read. “In response, the university has agreed to these requests and assured that classes will be conducted as usual.”
Prakriti Lamsal, a student from Rupandehi, was found dead under suspicious circumstances in her hostel. After demanding an investigation, other Nepali students staged protests, leading to a harsh crackdown by university authorities. Many were forcibly removed from their hostels and left stranded at railway stations.
The Nepali Embassy has also called for an independent and impartial investigation into Lamsal’s death. The university has reportedly assured full cooperation in the matter.
