Nepali students set conditions for return to KIIT

Kathmandu, February 18 — Students at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India, are continuing their strike in protest following the death of Nepali student Prakriti Lamsal.

According to a Nepali student studying there, the protest and strike have continued today within the campus.

After the death of the Nepali student, Indian students have come forward to lead the movement, following the alleged mistreatment of Nepali students by the college administration.

The protest has gained momentum under the leadership of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), a student organization supported by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

Students have expressed fear due to the behavior of KIIT authorities, stating that they feel unsafe.

The protesters are demanding action against those responsible, including investigating and taking action against those who sent Nepali students home from the college.

KIIT officials are attempting to convince the protesting students, but the students have stated that they will not return to their studies until their demands are met.

They are calling for the punishment of those involved in the incident and an investigation into those who mishandled the victim’s body before the police arrived, violating proper procedures.

The students are also demanding action against those who ignored the victim's complaints, a suspension of teachers who insulted Nepal’s national image, and an investigation into hostel authorities who compared Nepal’s national budget with college expenses.

Additionally, the students are calling for a public apology from senior officials who allegedly ordered attacks on students, and for the release of CCTV footage of the incident that occurred on the morning of February 17.

The students have set several conditions for their return, emphasizing the need for justice and security before they can resume their studies at the institution.