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Death of Nepali student in Indian university: Nepalis make a firm call for fair probe, justice

A number of Indian students, scholars and individuals have expressed solidarity with Nepalis on their call for justice for Prakriti Lamsal.

Kathmandu: One day after the death of Nepali student Prakriti Lamsal in the hostel of Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University in Odisha, Nepali leaders, from those in the opposition bench to those in the government, have called for justice and impartial investigation on cause of Lamsal’s death, attributed to ‘suicide’ followed by alleged harassment by an Indian national.  

On Tuesday, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Arzu Rana Deuba said the Ministry is constantly following up on the death of Prakriti Lamsal and the developments thereafter. She said necessary initiatives are being taken to understand the condition of Nepali students in the hostels of Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University in Odisha, India and to provide a safe environment for Nepali students in the college. “Two senior officials of Nepal Police from the Embassy of Nepal in New Delhi have reached the university today morning. I spoke to them on the phone and directed them to coordinate with the Indian security personnel for necessary investigation into the incident and with the university administration for necessary assistance to the Nepali students and their safe stay in the hostel. The Embassy of Nepal in New Delhi is already taking necessary initiatives in this regard,” she said.

KIIT officials, who were seen to abuse protesting Nepali students on videos circulating on social media, have apologized to the Nepali students and Nepali people following the outrage over mishandling of the case both in India as well as Nepal.

Lawmakers in Kathmandu have raised the issue with urgency.  Sumana Shrestha, the lawmaker from Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSSP), had tried to raise this issue in federal parliament on Monday but she was denied time by the House Speaker.

On Tuesday, parliamentarians drew the government’s attention to start diplomatic and political initiatives immediately to ensure security to Nepali students studying in India. They urged the government to coordinate with the Indian government to investigate into the death of Lamsal of Butwal. Lawmakers such as Chhabi Lal Bishwokarma, Madhav Sapkota, Dhurba Bahadur Pradhan, Thakur Gaire, among others, drew the government’s attention.

Meanwhile, Indian embassy in Kathmandu, embassy of Nepal in New Delhi, the state government of Odisha have expressed commitment to ensure justice and fair probe into the case. A number of Indian students, scholars and individuals have expressed solidarity with Nepal on this matter.