Bhubaneswar: The Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress staged a walkout from the Odisha Assembly on Friday, expressing dissatisfaction with Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj’s response to the debate on the ongoing KIIT issue.
Lawmakers from across party lines voiced concerns over the events at KIIT following the death of Nepalese student Prakriti Lamsal, who was found dead in her hostel room.
The BJD and Congress demanded a judicial inquiry into the incident, but the state government did not respond to their request. Addressing the House, the Minister stated that “law will take its course” and assured that anyone found guilty would be punished.
The unrest at KIIT erupted after the alleged suicide of Prakriti Lamsal, a Nepalese student, on Sunday afternoon. Following the incident, several Nepalese students staged protests, demanding justice. However, the KIIT administration issued suspension notices to nearly 1,000 Nepalese students and asked them to vacate the campus by Monday.
The situation escalated, prompting intervention from both the central and state governments. Subsequently, the KIIT authorities issued an apology and urged the Nepalese students to return to campus. The Odisha government set up a 24/7 help desk to assist in their safe return.
Meanwhile, the police have registered two cases—one related to the alleged suicide of the Nepalese student and another regarding the attacks on Nepalese youths, allegedly carried out by KIIT staff members. Investigations into both cases are ongoing.
