Suicide at Odisha university: Rocked by protests and facing pressure, admin now asks students from Nepal to stay back

Around 500 students from Nepal have been protesting on the campus, alleging that the student who committed had complained about being harassed by her batchmate. The batchmate has been detained by police and is being questioned.

“There was an unfortunate incident which took place late in the evening yesterday on the KIIT campus. Immediately after the incident, police investigated the matter and apprehended the culprit. The KIIT administration has taken all-out efforts to restore normalcy in the campus and hostels to resume academic activities,” reads the university’s statement.

Sources said the university withdrew its decision asking students from Nepal to vacate the campus following pressure from the state government. Nepal’s Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli also took to social media to express concern over the issue and said his government is working to address the matter through diplomatic channels.

The Nepal Embassy also responded to the developments: “Regarding the incidents that took place at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology… this embassy has received information that Nepali students studying at the institution have been asked to vacate the university hostel. Accordingly, the embassy has contacted the university administration and relevant representatives regarding the situation. The embassy has urged the academic institution to ensure the safety of Nepali students residing there, and the institution has assured that the students can remain in the hostel.”

“The embassy has been in continuous contact with Nepali students, the central government of India, the Chief Minister’s Office of Odisha, and other relevant Indian authorities to ensure necessary cooperation and coordination regarding the eviction. If affected Nepali students face any additional issues, they are encouraged to contact the embassy,” it said.

Earlier, the university had arranged buses to take the students to railway stations so they could head home. However, this had only angered the students further.

The university had, in an earlier statement, claimed the student who committed suicide and her batchmate who is being questioned by the police were in a relationship.