Investigation Team Visits KIIT University Regarding Nepali Students Incident
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Synopsis
The Odisha Government has initiated an investigation into the alleged mistreatment of Nepali students at KIIT University, with a high-level committee visiting the campus to discuss the situation with stakeholders and ensure justice.
Key Takeaways
- High-level committee formed by Odisha Government.
- Investigation into alleged mistreatment of Nepali students.
- Discussions held with affected students and stakeholders.
- Police seeking remand for accused boyfriend.
- Chief Minister assures justice and restoration of normalcy.
Bhubaneswar, Feb 19 (NationPress) A three-member high-level committee formed by the Odisha Government to investigate the alleged mistreatment of Nepali students at KIIT University in Bhubaneswar has commenced its inquiry into this unfortunate event as of Wednesday.
The committee includes the Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department, the Principal Secretary of Women and Child Development, and the Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Higher Education Department. They visited the university to engage in discussions with various stakeholders.
During a press interaction at the university, Home Department Additional Chief Secretary Satyabrata Sahu stated, “Following the directives of the state government, we have arrived here to consult various stakeholders. We will visit the locations where the incidents occurred and converse with the affected students. A report will be submitted to the government promptly.”
The Bhubaneswar-Cuttack police commissioner, who was also part of the high-level committee's visit, informed the media that the police have requested the court’s permission to take Advik Srivastava, the boyfriend of the deceased Nepali student, Prakriti Lamsal, into custody for further investigation.
“We have applied for remand and are expecting a three-day remand for the accused. He will undergo detailed interrogation. We aim to solidify our evidence through the information gathered during this process. We will strive to validate the allegations of harassment based on findings from the interrogation. Justice will ultimately be served in this case,” remarked Police Commissioner Dev Datta Singh.
He mentioned that the laptop and mobile phone of the deceased have been confiscated and sent to the forensic science laboratory for analysis.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi communicated with Nepali Counsellors Sanjeeb Das Sharma and Navin Raj Adhikari, assuring them that justice would be ensured for the deceased KIIT student, Prakriti. He also pledged that peace and normalcy would be reinstated on the KIIT campus.
The Chief Minister has encouraged Nepali students to return to the campus and continue their studies. Additionally, a Nepali delegation engaged in discussions with Ministers Mukesh Mahaling and Suryabanshi Suraj, along with Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja at the State Guest House on Wednesday to facilitate the restoration of order at KIIT.
Nepal's Foreign Minister Dr Arzu Rana Deuba reached out to the Higher Education Department Minister Suryabanshi Suraj concerning the incident. The Higher Education Minister later expressed that the deceased student is not merely Nepal’s daughter but also a daughter of Odisha.
Conversely, students from the private university and various student organizations have continued their protests, demanding justice for Prakriti, who tragically ended her life in her hostel room at KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, on Sunday due to persistent harassment from her estranged boyfriend.
The police took the accused boyfriend into custody on Monday following a complaint lodged by Prakriti's cousin, Siddhant Sigdel.
