KIIT and KISS Founder Dr. Achyuta Samanta has announced that a scholarship will be instituted in the name of Prakriti Lamsal as a tribute to her memory.Prakriti, a third-year B.Tech student of KIIT from Nepal, died by suicide on February 16 in her hostel room, triggering unrest and protests among Nepali students.
Her body was handed over to her father and uncle on Wednesday. Dr. Samanta met with the family and offered his deepest condolences.KIIT sources reported that senior officials from the Nepalese Embassy visited the campus and met with Nepali students, assuring them that similar incidents would not be repeated.
The visit comes as several students who had left for their homes have started returning to campus. KIIT has taken proactive measures to facilitate the return of those who have not yet come back.
Dr. Samanta also spoke with Nepal’s Foreign Minister, Arzu Rana Deuba, and Minister for Water Supply, Pradeep Yadav, assuring them that KIIT is committed to ensuring the safe return of all students.
Additionally, he discussed the incident with Nepal’s Province 2 former Chief Minister, Lalbabu Raut, informing him that the institution is making all necessary arrangements for the return of Nepali students.
The Commissionerate of Police arrested a third-year B.Tech student of KIIT University, Adivik Srivastav, in connection with Lamsal’s death. He has been sent to judicial custody by the local court.
Commissioner of Police S. Devdutt Singh stated that prima facie evidence suggests harassment by the accused student, which allegedly led to the Nepali student's suicide.
The Odisha government has constituted a three-member fact-finding team, led by Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Satyabrata Sahu, to investigate the matter and submit a report.
The university has been placed under notice, and appropriate legal and administrative actions will follow based on the findings of the High-Level Committee, according to a government press release.
The KIIT administration, which had initially asked all Nepali students to leave the campus following protests over Lamsal’s death, has since invited them to return and resume their academic sessions. This decision came after the intervention of Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and the Odisha state government.
KIIT Vice-Chancellor Saranjit Singh has already issued an apology regarding the unfortunate incident. He also stated that two security guards and two officials from the ladies’ hostel, who had misbehaved with students, have been suspended.
The Commissionerate of Police also arrested three directors of KIIT Institute and two security guards in connection with the incident. However, they were later granted bail by the court.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has assured that justice will be served in the case of Prakriti Lamsal’s death. He made this assurance on Wednesday while speaking with Nepali counsellors Sanjeeb Das Sharma and Navin Raj Adhikari, who were deputed by the Nepalese Prime Minister to assess the safety of Nepali students at KIIT.
The Chief Minister further assured them that peace and normalcy would be restored on the KIIT campus and urged Nepali students to return and resume their studies.
Meanwhile, the Higher Education Department of the Odisha Government has taken serious note of the incident and has set up a 24x7 Help Desk to facilitate the safe return of Nepali students and protect their academic interests.
The Help Desk contact numbers are: 0674-2396550, 2323401, 2323402, 2323403, and WhatsApp number 9124620605.
Director of Higher Education, Kali Prasanna Mohapatra, has been appointed as the Nodal Officer of the Help Desk, with Dr. Rajata Mansingh, Deputy Director, assisting him.
According to official sources, the Help Desk will be staffed by nine personnel, available round the clock.
The Help Desk will also reach out to students to facilitate their early return and address any personal well-being concerns.
The government has urged all affected students and their parents to contact the Help Desk for assistance in returning to the institution and continuing their academic pursuits.(UNI)
