The recent tragic death of Prakriti Lamsal, a third-year B.Tech student from Nepal at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, has led to significant unrest on campus. Following her alleged suicide on February 16, 2025, many students have boycotted classes in protest, while others have reportedly been compelled to sign undertakings pledging to avoid any form of indiscipline.

Incident Overview

Prakriti Lamsal was discovered deceased in her hostel room, with initial reports suggesting suicide. Prior to her death, she had allegedly lodged complaints against a fellow student, accusing him of harassment and emotional blackmail. Despite these grievances, the university administration reportedly did not take substantial action. In the aftermath, a voice recording surfaced, purportedly capturing the accused student verbally abusing Lamsal. He was subsequently arrested at Biju Patnaik International Airport while allegedly attempting to leave the area.

Student Protests and Administrative Response

The incident sparked widespread protests among the student body, with many boycotting classes to demand justice and institutional accountability. In response, the university administration reportedly required students to sign undertakings affirming their commitment to maintaining discipline and refraining from protest activities. This move has been criticized by students and observers as an attempt to suppress dissent and shift focus away from the core issues of harassment and administrative negligence.

Eviction of Nepali Students

Compounding the situation, the university initially ordered all Nepali students to vacate the campus, leading to the forced eviction of over 500 students. This action intensified the unrest and drew sharp criticism. Reports indicated that some students were mistreated by university security personnel during the eviction process. In response to mounting pressure, KIIT rescinded its eviction order and issued a formal apology. The university acknowledged its mishandling of the situation, terminated two security staff members involved in the evictions, and suspended additional officials pending further investigation.

Diplomatic Intervention

The incident escalated into a diplomatic concern, prompting Nepal's Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to intervene. The Nepalese government dispatched officials to Bhubaneswar to counsel the affected students and assess the situation. This intervention underscores the gravity of the incident and its broader implications for international student safety and institutional responsibility.

Ongoing Investigations

Authorities have initiated investigations into both the circumstances surrounding Lamsal's death and the subsequent administrative actions. The university has pledged full cooperation with law enforcement agencies and has established an internal committee to review its policies on student grievances and campus safety.

This incident has ignited extensive discussions regarding student safety, administrative accountability, and the efficacy of harassment complaint procedures within educational institutions. The situation remains under close scrutiny as investigations continue.