Bhubaneswar, Feb 18: After a Nepali student was found dead in her hostel room at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, the tragic incident has sparked widespread outrage among students, who are now demanding justice and transparency from the college administration.
The protesting students are now demanding an independent student body that can protect their rights and interests. They also expressed their apprehensions about the safety of their fellow students.
"We only want a student body that is independent of the college itself and will protect us... Transparency from the faculty should be given on why such incidents are happening... An international student was treated like this, someday, we too can be treated like this...," said one of the protesting Nepali students.
On February 16, the third-year BTech student student was found dead in her hostel room, following which Nepali students staged a protest claiming that she was harassed by her fellow student and demanded justice for her.
An accused student, identified by police as Advik Srivastava, was arrested on February 17 and sent to judicial custody on the same day, as per a press statement by Police Commissionerate, Bhubaneswar-Cuttack.
"Investigation of the case is continuing, including seizure of the documents and electronic gadgets as evidence...Commissionerate Police is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all the students including Nepali students," the release said.
Meanwhile, Nepali Ambassador to India, Shankar P Sharma, held a telephonic conversation with Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) founder Achyuta Samanta in light of the incident.
The KIIT Founder briefed the Nepali envoy about the actions taken by KIIT, which included issuing a public apology letter from the Vice Chancellor and the subsequent termination of a few staff members.
"H.E. @DrShankarSharma had a telephone conversation with Prof Achyuta Samanta, Founder of KIIT and also met his representatives. Prof. Samanta briefed Dr Sharma about the actions taken by KIIT including a public apology letter from the VC and the termination of a few staff."
Before this, Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said that his government has taken cognizance of the death of a student from Nepal at a private college in Bhubaneswar, which sparked protests and is pursuing the matter with India through diplomatic channels.
(ANI)

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