India affirms commitment to student safety after Nepali girl’s death at KIIT
Indian Ministry of External Affairs says it is coordinating with Nepali officials, Odisha government, and KIIT after second student death in under three months. Reuters
The Indian government has said it takes the safety, security and well-being of all international students very seriously, following the tragic death of a Nepali student at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
Prisha Sah from Sarlahi district, who was studying in first year BTech computer science at the KIIT University, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha was found dead inside a college hostel at around 8:10 pm on Thursday.
The Ministry of External Affairs of India stated that it is in close contact with the Nepali authorities, the Odisha state government, and the university management to ensure real-time communication and coordination in the matter.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic demise of a Nepali student of KIIT University, Bhubaneswar,” the ministry said in a statement on Friday. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family during this difficult time.”
The ministry added that it has been in constant touch with the Odisha State government since learning of the incident. “The state government of Odisha has extended full support to the family of the deceased, and a thorough enquiry is currently being conducted by the Odisha Police,” it said.
Meanwhile, the KIIT University confirmed that the student, a first-year BTech Computer Science student from Nepal, died by suicide on campus. The university said the incident occurred in a hostel, and the authorities immediately informed the local police. The police recovered the student’s body and took her to KIMS Hospital, where she was declared brought dead. The body was later transferred to AIIMS Bhubaneswar for further procedures.
Senior police officials and a scientific team conducted a preliminary investigation at the scene. KIIT stated that the student’s family was informed promptly and that it is extending full cooperation to the police. “We are deeply saddened and distressed by the untimely death of one of our students,” the university said. “We mourn this irreparable loss and stand in solidarity with her family, friends, and the entire Nepali student community.”The incident comes two-and-a-half months after the death of Prakriti Lamsal, a Nepali student, who was found dead in the same university. The Odisha State government had formed a team to investigate the death but its findings have yet to be made public. Prakriti had reportedly died by suicide on February 16, allegedly following torture by her own classmate.
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