KIIT University Appeals To Nepali Students To Return & Resume Classes Hours After Asking Them To Leave Campus; PM KP Oli Reacts

The KIIT University in Odisha's Bhubaneswar has appealed to Nepali students to return and resume classes hours after it had asked students from Nepal to immediately vacate the campus on Monday after the body of a third-year B.Tech student from the neighboring country was found dead at the university hostel.

Earlier today, the university issued a notice stating that the institute was "closed sine die for all international students from Nepal and they are directed to vacate the university campus immediately today on 17th February."

Following the first notice, students from Nepal left for Cuttack railway station to catch a train for Nepal.

According to an ANI report, after the incident, several students from Nepal protested demanding action against the girl's alleged boyfriend. As tension on the campus flared up, the university asked Nepali students to leave.

Some Nepali students claimed that they were forced to vacate the hostel without any arrangements.

"We were protesting for the (deceased) girl. We don't know what their intentions are, but we were forcibly made to vacate the hostel. There is no fixed train schedule, and I have no money. We haven't even had food. We are helpless," ANI quoted a student from Nepal as saying.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister of Nepal, KP Sharma Oli took cognizance of the situation at the KIIT University in Odisha.

In a post on X, he said, "Our Embassy in New Delhi has dispatched two officers to counsel Nepali students affected in Odisha. Additionally, arrangements have been made to ensure they have the option to either remain in their hostel or return home, based on their preference."

Earlier today, in a Facebook post, Oli had said that through social media he came to know about a Nepali student's suicide and that students from Nepal are being forcibly evicted from the hostel.

Nepal's PM said that his government is working on this matter through diplomatic channels and is in contact with the relevant authorities in India.

Published on: Monday, February 17, 2025, 07:40 PM IST