💖Amid the spiraling row over a Nepali student's alleged suicide at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar, five staffers, including three directors and two security guards, were arrested on Tuesday.
ཧThe death of the Nepali student triggered widespread protests by more than 500 Nepali students across the campus. It has been reported that the varsity authorities tried to forcibly evict some students from the campus, leading to diplomatic intervention.
According to a report by India Today,🐈 the arrests were made based on a police report that mentioned the alleged use of force by security guards and university officials to remove protesting students from the campus.
🍒In a purported footage, the security guards were seen assaulting the students when they were picketing and demanding justice over the girl’s death, officials claimed.
💞The arrested persons are director general (HR) Sibananda Mishra, director (administration) Pratap Kumar Chamupaty, director of hostels Sudhir Kumar Rath and Ramakanta Nayak (45) and security guards Jogendra Behera and Ramakanta Nayak.
🍒Expressing concern over the safety of international students at the institute, the girl’s father said, "They (KIIT) invited the students to join the institute and assured all safety and security. However, here things are different. I had sent my daughter for higher studies, but what happened here is not acceptable. I am hopeful of getting justice from the government."
൲"Police have registered two cases, one in connection with the girl’s suicide by hanging following her cousin’s complaint and another by police on the contents of the social media video where the security personnel and staff of the private university were abusing and beating up the students who protested over the incident," Bhubaneswar DCP Pinak Mishra told PTI.
Nepali Student's Death In KIIT
෴The entire row stemmed from the death of a third-year BTech student Prakriti Lamsal on Sunday evening. She was found dead in her hostel room.
♔When interrogated, Praikriti's friends held her ex-boyfriend, Advik Srivastava accountable for her death. On a similar note, Prakriti's father also accused her former boyfriend of "harassing and emotionally blackmailing" his daughter.
♑Based on a complaint from Prakriti's brother, police filed a case and arrested Advik. He has been charged with abetment of suicide under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Student's Death In KIIT: Top Points To Know
Odisha Govt Forms Fact-Finding Panel
𓄧In view of the student's death, the Odisha government on Tuesday constituted a fact-finding committee to determine the circumstances that led to the 20-year-old Nepali girl’s unnatural death in the KIIT hostel and what prompted the institute to issue suspension letters to students who were seeking justice.
𒅌The three-member panel has also been tasked to probe why authorities of the institute did not inform the state government about its action against the students from the Himalayan kingdom.
🦩The panel is headed by the additional chief secretary (Home). The other members are secretaries of the higher education and women and child development departments.
KIIT Issues Apology
🔴The Vice-Chancellor of the varsity has issued an apology saying "KIIT has always been a home to students from across the world, fostering a culture of inclusivity, respect, and care. We deeply regret the recent incident and reaffirm our commitment to the safety, dignity, and well-being of all our students, including our dear Nepali students," the apology letter reads
Education Minister Responds
🐷Reacting to the incident, state higher education minister Suryabanshi Suraj said the institute has been placed under notice, and appropriate legal and administrative action shall follow based on the findings of the fact-finding team.
൲"The state government remains committed to ensuring the safety, dignity, and well-being of every student," the minister said, as per PTI.
⛎He also added that the state administration will take necessary steps to ensure that justice is served swiftly and fairly.
Nepal Govt May Stop Issuing NOC
꧅In light of the latest developments, the Nepal government said it may stop issuing no objection certificates to students who wish to study in institutes in Odisha if the situation arising from the death of the student is not resolved in a "justifiable and legal way".
