Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba has stated that the government is taking the death of a Nepali student at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Odisha and the subsequent developments seriously, resolving the matter through diplomatic means.

Upon her return from the 8th Indian Ocean Conference in Muscat, Oman, on Thursday, Minister Deuba informed the media that she had spoken to Odisha’s Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, urging a fair investigation into Prakriti Lamsal’s death and legal action against those responsible.

The minister also stressed the importance of ensuring a safe environment for Nepali students at KIIT, to which the Indian minister responded by assuring that Odisha authorities had taken the matter seriously.

“We immediately initiated diplomatic efforts. While we demanded justice for the deceased and legal action against the guilty, we coordinated with relevant agencies to ensure the safety and academic environment for Nepali students,” Minister Deuba said.

“Following the incident, the university apologised and allowed students to return to the hostel, with action taken against the involved staff.”

Minister Deuba also said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nepali Embassy in New Delhi have constantly contacted the Odisha government and the university, coordinating necessary efforts.

In response to a query, she proposed that maintaining an updated record of Nepali students worldwide — which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs currently does not do — could make rescue operations more efficient in future emergencies.

“The ministry is unaware of where Nepali citizens are or their circumstances until they face problems. Even then, there isn’t enough manpower within the ministry to assist them, which leads to further challenges,” she said.