Massive protests broke out at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University in Bhubaneswar after a 20-year-old mechanical engineering student from Nepal was found hanging from the ceiling fan in her hostel room on Sunday evening. The incident triggered outrage among students, who accused the university authorities of ignoring the victim’s earlier complaints about harassment. On Monday morning, hundreds of students blocked roads outside the university, demanding justice for the deceased.
Police officials stated that prima facie evidence suggested suicide and Bhubaneswar DCP Pinak Mishra confirmed that the accused, Advik Srivastava, had been detained for his alleged involvement in abetting the suicide.
Allegations of Harassment and the University’s Response
Students alleged that the victim had been facing harassment from Srivastava for months and had repeatedly complained to the university’s international relations department, but no action was taken. Following the incident, Nepali students at KIIT demanded a thorough investigation and the immediate arrest of the accused. As tensions escalated, the university issued a notice instructing all Nepali students to vacate the campus immediately. “The university is closed for all international students from Nepal. They are hereby directed to vacate the university campus,” read the official statement.
Amid the chaos, an audio clip surfaced on social media, allegedly featuring a conversation between the victim and the accused. In the recording, a young man was heard verbally abusing and harassing a girl. This further fueled student anger, leading to intensified protests.
Forced Evictions and Nepal Government’s Intervention
To control the situation, KIIT University arranged for Nepali students to leave the campus. However, students claimed they were forced to vacate without proper travel arrangements. “No train tickets or any directions were provided. We were just loaded onto hostel buses, sent to Cuttack railway station, and ordered to leave immediately. Some students who resisted were even physically assaulted by staff members,” alleged a student from Nepal.
The incident drew the attention of Nepal’s Prime Minister, KP Sharma Oli, who acknowledged the situation and confirmed that the Nepalese government was addressing the matter through diplomatic channels. “The government is working on this matter through diplomatic channels and is in contact with the relevant authorities,” he said.
In response, Nepal’s Embassy in New Delhi dispatched two officers to counsel the affected students at KIIT. “Our Embassy in New Delhi has dispatched two officers to counsel Nepali students affected in Odisha. Additionally, arrangements have been made to ensure they have the option to either remain in their hostel or return home, based on their preference,” PM Oli wrote on X.
Uncertainty for Students Amid Investigations
Meanwhile, the university stated that Nepali students were sent home due to rising tensions on campus, though many claim they were forcibly evicted. “The police have sealed the deceased girl’s room and kept the body at the mortuary till the arrival of her parents,” a university official told PTI. As students were dropped off at Cuttack Railway Station on Monday, many expressed concerns about their future. “We were told to vacate the hostel and dropped at the railway station. We had exams on February 28, but now we don’t know what will happen,” said a Nepali student. While investigations continue, the tragic incident has sparked debates about student safety, university accountability, and the treatment of international students in India.
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