New Delhi: The Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar has taken disciplinary action against security staff and officials following the death of a B Tech third-year girl student from Nepal on campus. The institute also expressed regret for any distress caused by the comments made after the incident.
The college management revealed that two senior hostel officials and a senior administrative officer from the International Relations Office (IRO) have been suspended while a comprehensive probe is being conducted.
‘Deeply regret the incident’
Posted on X, the college notice read: “KIIT authorities and the entire staff deeply regret the incident that occurred on 16th February. Two security staffs were terminated immediately. Two senior hostel officials and one senior administrative officer of International Relations Office (IRO), were suspended pending a thorough enquiry.”
On the college’s X account, the Vice-Chancellor of KIIT-DU wrote an apology letter, “KIIT has always been a welcoming home to students from around the world, promoting a culture of inclusivity, respect, and care. We deeply regret the recent incident and reaffirm our commitment to the safety, dignity, and well-being of all our students, including our cherished Nepali students.”
The college also underlined that it encourages students to return to the campus and has set up a 24/7 control room to help them amid the crisis.
The notice by KIIT read: “A dedicated control room is operational 24 x 7 at KIIT campus 6 to facilitate the return of Nepali students to the KIIT campus…For our staff, we recognise that certain comments were in the heat of the moment and we apologise for any distress caused. We prioritise the safety and well-being of our students above all.”
Police arrests 2 security guards
The Police Commissionerate Bhubaneswar-Cuttack issued a press note, stating that taking cognisance of the alleged manhandling of ‘these students’ by the KIIT University security personnel, a criminal case has been registered vide Infocity police station under relevant sections of BNS and two security guards have been arrested. The police said that the criminal cases are under investigation and just investigation will be ensured by the Commissionerate. It added that the police was committed towards the security of all the students, including the Nepalese students. It also gave a number (8280338301) where the students can contact them in case of any difficulty.
What happened
Earlier, the third-year engineering student was found dead on February 16 evening. After her death, Nepalese students lodged protests, claiming that she had been blackmailed and harassed by a fellow student and demanded justice. The police took the accused into custody. The college management asked Nepalese students to vacate the hostel. However, they later changed their stance and urged “Nepali students who have left or intend to leave the campus to return and continue their classes”.
What the girl student’s father said
The father of the deceased, Sunil Lamsal, was quoted as saying by ANI that he believed his daughter was “harassed and emotionally blackmailed”. He added: “We just know that an investigation is being done. The post-mortem report will come soon. We have the information that she was harassed and emotionally blackmailed due to which she committed suicide.”
He also said that he had talked with the university officials, but they did not provide any additional information. “Yesterday, we had a conversation with the university officials. They did not say anything, but the police and college administration are cooperating,” he pointed out. Lamsal added that his family got to know about the incident from his son, the deceased girl’s brother, on February 16. He said that the person arrested in connection with the case is “the reason behind this”.
