Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Odisha, India, which had, earlier on Monday, ordered all Nepali students to leave the university, has now asked them to stay behind if they wish.

The college had ordered the students to vacate the college hostel over a dispute following the suspicious death of a Nepali student studying at the university.

“An appeal is made to all our Nepali students who have or plan to leave the campus to return and resume the classes,” the KIIT said, issuing an appeal on Monday.

Prakriti Lamsal, a third-year BTech student from Butwal, was found dead on Sunday evening after reportedly enduring persistent harassment from an Indian student from the same batch. Fellow Nepali students claimed that despite previous complaints, the university administration did not take action against the alleged perpetrator.

Following Lamsal’s death, Nepali students staged a peaceful protest demanding justice. However, instead of addressing their concerns, the university administration ordered them to vacate the hostels. “We were demanding justice for Prakriti in a peaceful manner, but instead of listening to us, they forced us out,” a protesting Nepali student said. “Those who refused to leave were beaten by security guards.”

The university took more than 500 Nepalis to the railway stations in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack for expulsion, but with the next train to Nepal only available on Thursday, many remain stranded there.

The KIIT administration later claimed the police investigated the matter and apprehended the accused perpetrator.

Meanwhile, the Nepali Embassy in New Delhi reached out to the university administration over the safety of Nepali students. “As soon as we were informed of the incident, we contacted the university officials and urged them to ensure the safety of Nepali students,” said Surendra Thapa, deputy chief of mission at the embassy.

Prime Minister’s Secretariat has stated Nepali Embassy in Delhi sent two Nepali officials to the area to counsel the affected students of Odisha.

“Our Embassy in New Delhi has dispatched two officers to counsel Nepali students affected in Odisha,” the secretariat said. “Additionally, arrangements have been made to ensure they have the option to either remain in their hostel or return home, based on their preference.”

KIIT issued a statement suggesting Lamsal’s death might be linked to a romantic relationship, a claim strongly rejected by her peers. “This is not about a personal matter; this is about harassment and institutional negligence,” another student attending the protest said.

Security has been tightened at the university, and Lamsal’s room has been sealed. Her family members are on their way to India. Over 800 Nepali students are reportedly enrolled at KIIT, India.