Prakriti Lamsal, was pursuing a B.Tech in computer science from the university.
Digital Desk: A tragic incident at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar has sparked protests after a 20-year-old engineering student from Nepal, Prakriti Lamsal, was found dead in her hostel room on Sunday evening. Lamsal, who was pursuing a B.Tech in computer science, is believed to have ended her life by committing suicide, according to a preliminary police investigation. Her batchmate has been detained and is being questioned in connection with the incident. An FIR has been filed under sections related to abetment of suicide.
The incident has caused widespread anger among students, particularly those from Nepal. They blocked roads near the KIIT campus, accusing university authorities of ignoring Lamsal's complaints about harassment from her batchmate. Lamsal had reportedly reached out to the university’s International Relations Office, but students allege no action was taken.
KIIT registrar Jnyana Ranjan Mohanty claimed that the student took her life due to a strained personal relationship. In an official statement, KIIT confirmed that police had taken the male student, believed to have been in a relationship with Lamsal, into custody for questioning.
In response to the unrest, police were deployed to the campus to restore order. Additionally, the university announced that all international students from Nepal were to vacate the campus immediately. Over 500 students from Nepal were asked to board buses and were dropped at various railway stations, from where they were asked to head home.
