Bhubaneswar: The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nepal, Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba on Wednesday spoke with Odisha’s Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj over phone on the tragic death of Prakriti Lamsal, a Nepali student at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University in Bhubaneswar.
In a post on her X (formerly Twitter) handle, Dr. Deuba revealed that she spoke with Odisha’s Higher Education Minister, Suryabanshi Suraj, to discuss the incident and its aftermath.
During the conversation, Dr. Deuba emphasized the need for a fair investigation into Lamsal’s death, legal action against the culprits, and a safe environment for Nepali students pursuing their studies in Odisha.
Minister Suraj assured her that the Odisha government has taken the incident seriously and has formed a high-level investigation committee to ensure justice for Prakriti and take appropriate action against those responsible.
Minister Suraj also informed Dr. Deuba that a separate hotline has been set up to provide necessary counseling and support to Nepali students and their parents. Additionally, arrangements have been made to bring back Nepali students who had returned home and reintegrate them into their hostels to continue their studies.
In a significant development, Minister Suraj shared that the college employee accused of misbehaving with students has been dismissed, and legal action has been initiated against them. He further reiterated Odisha’s commitment to maintaining the harmonious relationship between India and Nepal, ensuring that such ties remain strong in the coming days.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal and the Nepali Embassy in New Delhi are actively coordinating with the KIIT University administration and Indian security officials to address the situation and ensure the safety and well-being of Nepali students in Odisha.
