Protests erupt at KIIT over Nepalese student’s suicide, one detained for abetment
Protests rocked Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University in Bhubaneswar on Monday after a 20-year-old Nepali student was found dead in her hostel room. The mechanical engineering student’s body was discovered hanging from the ceiling fan on Sunday evening, sparking anger and unrest among students.
Hundreds of students took to the streets, blocking main roads in front of the university. They accused the university authorities of ignoring the victim’s complaints. The student had reportedly lodged complaints about harassment a month before her death.
Police initially ruled the death a suicide. However, Bhubaneswar DCP Pinak Mishra confirmed the arrest of Advik Srivastava, a fellow student, for allegedly abetting the suicide. The students claimed Srivastava had harassed the victim for months.
Nepali students on campus rallied for a thorough investigation and the arrest of Srivastava. Tensions escalated when the university issued a notice ordering all Nepali students to vacate the campus by February 17. The university claimed the victim’s death stemmed from a strained relationship with her partner.
An audio clip allegedly featuring a conversation between Srivastava and the victim surfaced on social media. In the clip, the man is heard abusing and harassing the girl, further fueling protests.
The university responded by sending Nepali students home. They were not provided travel arrangements and were taken to Cuttack railway station, where they were instructed to leave immediately. Students complained about the lack of support and claimed they were mistreated by staff during the evacuation.
Situation Remains Tense but Controlled
Despite the protests, the university reported that the situation had calmed down. However, the anger among the Nepali students over their treatment and the alleged mishandling of the case remains a point of contention.
