Feb 21, Kathmandu- India has expressed grief over the death of Nepalese student Prakriti Lamsal in the hostel of Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University in Odisha.

Indian External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal expressed deep grief over the tragic death of a Nepali student at KIIT University in Bhubaneswar at a press conference.

“The Government of India is ready to take all necessary steps for the safety and well-being of all Nepali students in India,” he said.

He said that the Government of India will give the highest priority to the safety and well-being of all international students.

He said that the Ministry of External Affairs is in constant touch with the Odisha government, KIIT officials and Nepali officials regarding the death of Nepali student Prakriti Lamsal.

“The accused has been arrested. Investigation is underway. The Odisha government has formed a high-level committee for the investigation. The Nepali student has been requested to return,” said Jaisawal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs.

On February 16, Nepali student Prakriti Lamsal was found dead in the Girls Hostel of KIIT University. Initial investigations have shown that she committed suicide.

After the Nepali student was found dead, other Nepali students studying there protested demanding a fair and independent investigation. After that, the KIIT administration asked the Nepali students to vacate the hostel immediately and return home.

On February 17, the KIIT administration forcibly put more than 500 Nepali students studying there in buses and took them to the railway station and left them. After that, Lamsal’s death and the inhumane act committed by the KIIT administration were widely protested in both Nepal and India.

Unable to bear the pressure, the KIIT administration apologized on February 17 and called on the Nepali students to return.