Nepali students are still living in fear after the inhumane treatment they endured at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University in Odisha, India.
The trauma they faced has left deep scars, making it difficult for them to trust the university’s repeated calls to return. Many are struggling, caught between their academic futures and the fear of going back to a place where they felt unsafe.
At a press conference on Friday, the students raised a pressing question: How can Nepali students feel safe in India under such circumstances?
As they shared their experiences at the university, their distressed expressions clearly showed their lingering fear of further attacks. These young students insisted that their suffering must not be ignored and urged both the Nepali and Indian governments to take immediate action to ensure their safety and well-being.
Eight conditions set by nepali students
The students shared that some teachers and staff who had beaten and insulted them grew resentful after facing departmental action and losing their jobs. This lingering hostility has only added to their fears, making it impossible for them to feel safe. They worry that these individuals, now holding grudges, could pose a continued threat to their well-being.
- Justice for Prakriti Lamsal
- Independent Investigation
- Accountability for Negligence
- Action Against Discrimination
- Public Apology and Punishment
- CCTV Footage Release
- Compensation for Displaced Students
- Correction of False Claims
He firmly stated that they could not return just because the university asked them to. Instead, he emphasized that a written agreement between the governments of Nepal and India was necessary to guarantee the safety of 1,500 Nepali students and also fulfill all of the conditions mentioned by them.
“We raised our voices for Prakriti Lamsal, but even before that, eight students from different semesters had lost their lives. The university kept these incidents hidden. They tried to silence us—resetting our phones, breaking our laptops, and putting us under immense stress,” he said, his voice filled with frustration and pain.
Students shared that the ongoing abuse at the university had become unbearable. They recalled terrifying experiences that left them feeling helpless and unsafe.
“The gym trainer threatened us with a knife, saying he would kill us if we didn’t vacate the hostel within two hours,” one student said. Another described the brutality they endured: “When I filmed my friend being beaten, the gym trainer kicked me in the face, causing me to bleed.”
The students expressed deep frustration over how they were treated, stating that such blatant human rights violations by the university staff cannot go unpunished. “They must face legal consequences,” they demanded.
The Indian government expresses sorrow
On February 16, authorities found Prakriti Lamsal, a third-year B.Tech student at KIIT University, dead. Soon after, reports of abuse against other students emerged, raising serious concerns about their safety and well-being.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic death of Nepali student Prakriti Lamsal, who was studying at KIIT University in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
During the ministry’s weekly media briefing, spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal conveyed the Indian government’s condolences. “We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of Nepali student Prakriti Lamsal. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family,” Jaiswal said, as reported by BBC Hindi. He also assured that “the Indian government prioritizes the safety of all international students in the country.”
Jaiswal further stated that since the incident came to light, India’s Ministry of External Affairs has been in continuous contact with the Odisha government and KIIT University officials. He also confirmed ongoing coordination with Nepali authorities.
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