NEW DELHI, Feb 24: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of Nepal has formally requested its Indian counterpart to investigate the suspicious death of 20-year-old student Prakriti Lamsal at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar. Lamsal, a B Tech student from Kathmandu, was found dead under unnatural circumstances, sparking outrage and protests among Nepalese students at KIIT.
The Nepal NHRC, in a press release, condemned the incident and the subsequent eviction of Nepalese students who had protested against Lamsal’s death. The commission urged India’s NHRC to probe the circumstances surrounding her death and ensure justice for the students who were reportedly beaten and mistreated during the protests.
The NHRC also called for the safety and security of Nepalese students at KIIT, demanding that the university take responsibility for the wellbeing of its students. They emphasized the need for a fear-free learning environment and accountability for those responsible for the violence. Furthermore, the Nepal NHRC has sought information from the Nepal Embassy in India regarding the status of the students affected by the incident.
In response to reports that some Nepalese students, forced to leave the campus due to fear, are still unable to return to the university, the commission urged the Nepalese government to take diplomatic action to ensure that the students can continue their education in a safe and secure environment.
