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The death of Prakristi Lamsal, a third-year BTech student from Nepal at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Odisha, has sparked widespread unrest and raised serious questions about the university's handling of the situation and the safety of its international students. Lamsal's suicide, confirmed by authorities, triggered immediate protests from fellow Nepali students who alleged she was being harassed and potentially blackmailed by a male student at the university. The ensuing events have escalated into a significant incident, involving police intervention, student evictions, and diplomatic pressure from the Nepali government. The incident highlights the vulnerability of international students in foreign educational settings and underscores the need for robust support systems and effective crisis management protocols within universities.
The immediate aftermath of Lamsal's death saw dozens of Nepali students assembling and staging a protest. Their claims of harassment and blackmail were corroborated by social media posts and a complaint filed by Lamsal's cousin. A statement issued by KIIT itself acknowledged the possibility of a love affair gone wrong as a contributing factor to the suicide. The university's response, however, has been widely criticized. Rather than addressing the students' concerns and providing support, the university escalated the situation by ordering the immediate eviction of all Nepali students. This action, carried out swiftly and forcefully, led to students being packed onto buses and dropped off at the Cuttack Railway Station without adequate provisions or arrangements for onward travel. Videos and reports from students describe a chaotic and distressing experience, with accusations of forceful removal and physical intimidation by university security personnel.
The police have launched an investigation into the allegations of abetment to suicide, with the male student suspected of involvement currently in custody. The police have seized the deceased student's belongings for forensic analysis. While the police attempted to quell the unrest and maintain law and order by deploying additional personnel, the university's actions have further inflamed the situation. The abrupt closure of the campus for Nepali students, coupled with the forceful evictions, has raised concerns about the university's responsibility towards its international student population. The university's claim that the situation is calm is belied by the accounts of students who report being prevented from leaving their hostels by security guards, and further evidence of clashes, as seen in videos circulating online. The lack of transparency from KIIT officials regarding these allegations only serves to deepen the public’s suspicion of its handling of the crisis.
The incident has drawn the attention of the Nepali government, with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli confirming his government's involvement through diplomatic channels to address the situation. The swift and forceful response of the university, however, raises concerns about the welfare of international students and the overall campus climate. The university's failure to provide adequate support and its immediate resort to eviction rather than investigation and dialogue have drawn strong criticism. The lack of resources and support provided to the expelled students during their sudden relocation points to a gross lack of preparedness and a failure to consider the human impact of its decisions. The incident has placed KIIT under intense scrutiny, raising questions about its policies on student welfare, its handling of crisis situations, and its treatment of international students. The Nepali government’s intervention highlights the international implications of this tragedy and emphasizes the need for universities to implement robust mechanisms to address such sensitive situations.
The aftermath of this tragic incident necessitates a comprehensive review of KIIT's policies and procedures regarding student welfare, particularly for international students. Transparency and accountability are crucial, and the university must address the allegations of harassment, blackmail, and forceful evictions. A thorough investigation into Lamsal's death, including a comprehensive analysis of the circumstances leading to her suicide and the university's response, is essential. The Nepali government's involvement underscores the need for international collaboration in ensuring the safety and well-being of students studying abroad. The case raises wider concerns about the challenges faced by international students navigating unfamiliar academic and social environments, highlighting the urgent need for universities to cultivate inclusive and supportive campus cultures that prioritize student safety and well-being above all else. The forceful removal of the Nepali students from campus, regardless of any underlying concerns, further underscores a larger issue regarding the treatment of international students in the Indian education system and the responsibilities of institutions in ensuring their safety and security.
Source: KIIT Campus Tense After Nepal Student Suicide, Many Claim Forced To Leave