Tensions Rise in Odisha University Following Nepali Student's Suicide; Nepal's K.P. Sharma Oli Responds

Bhubaneswar, Feb 17 (NationPress) In the wake of a tragic incident involving the suicide of a Nepali female student and the subsequent eviction notices issued to students from Nepal, the Higher Education Minister of Odisha, Suryabanshi Suraj, announced on Monday that the private university authorities have retracted the eviction order following state government intervention. They have encouraged the Nepali students to return to campus and continue their studies.

This incident has garnered significant attention from the government of Nepal, which has initiated diplomatic discussions to ensure the safety and welfare of its students studying in India.

K.P. Sharma Oli, the Prime Minister of Nepal, stated, "Our Embassy in New Delhi has sent two officials to support the affected Nepali students in Odisha. Furthermore, we have made arrangements for them to either stay in their hostel or return home, depending on their choice."

Additionally, Suraj expressed his dismay over the forced eviction of students, describing it as an unfortunate occurrence. He revealed that the Odisha government has dispatched special buses from the Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) to the Cuttack railway station and other locations to assist Nepali students in returning to the university in Bhubaneswar.

Suraj emphasized, "India shares a profound bond with Nepal. Odisha also has historical ties with Nepal, particularly through Lord Jagannath. The events that transpired at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) are deeply saddening, and we extend our condolences to the family of the deceased student."

The minister assured that the state government is taking necessary steps to prevent any future harassment of students by university administration.

He noted that the state home department acted swiftly once the incident was reported, leading to the arrest of the suspected individual.

Law enforcement agencies have initiated an investigation into the matter, confiscating the suspect's diary, laptop, mobile phone, and other items.

According to police reports, the accused, originally from Uttar Pradesh, was apprehended at the Bhubaneswar Airport while attempting to flee the city.

"An unfortunate incident occurred late last night on the KIIT campus. Following the incident, the police promptly conducted an investigation and captured the perpetrator. The KIIT administration is making every effort to restore normalcy on campus and in hostels, urging Nepali students who have left or are considering leaving to return and resume classes," added KIIT University.

Reportedly, the deceased, Prakriti, a B.Tech (Computer Science) student at KIIT University, took her own life on Sunday after a dispute with her estranged boyfriend, the accused Advik Shrivastava, a B.Tech (Mechanical) student.

Following the incident, Nepali students held a protest on Sunday night.

Although police attempted to calm the demonstrators, their efforts were unsuccessful. The students continued their protest with a road blockade at the private university on Monday morning.

This led to university officials issuing an indefinite order for the Nepali students to vacate the campus, placing them in a difficult position.

Reports claim that some students were forcibly taken to the Cuttack railway station on university buses. Videos have surfaced showing university authorities allegedly involved in heated exchanges with Nepali students, instructing them to leave the campus immediately.