Bhubaneswar: A tragic incident unfolded at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar as Prakriti Lamsal, a third-year B-Tech student from Nepal, allegedly died by suicide in her hostel room. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, has led to allegations of blackmail, police intervention, and widespread unrest among the university’s Nepali student community.

Allegations of blackmail and police investigation

According to a complaint filed by the deceased’s cousin at Infocity police station, Prakriti was allegedly being blackmailed by a male student from the same university. He suspected this to be a contributing factor in her suicide.

Bhubaneswar Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Pinak Mishra confirmed that a case of abetment to suicide has been registered. The accused student has been taken into custody for interrogation, and authorities have seized Prakriti’s mobile phone, laptop, and other electronic devices for forensic examination.

Campus protests and university response

Following the tragic incident, tensions flared on the KIIT campus, with a large number of Nepali students staging demonstrations demanding justice for Prakriti. University officials engaged with the agitating students and, as a precautionary measure, arranged for their return home.

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Appeal published by University

The situation escalated further when students alleged that they were forcibly asked to vacate their hostel rooms. Two buses carrying Nepali students were sent to Cuttack Railway Station on Monday. “We were told to leave and were dropped at the station despite having exams scheduled for February 28,” claimed one student.

Meanwhile, students from other states reported being confined to their hostels, allegedly by the university’s private security guards. A video of a scuffle between students and security personnel surfaced on social media, though its authenticity remains unverified.

Security measures and legal actions

To maintain law and order, authorities deployed two platoons of police personnel inside and outside the campus. The deceased student’s hostel room has been sealed, and her body remains in the mortuary until her parents arrive.

Additional Commissioner of Police (ACP) Prakash Chandra Pal assured that law enforcement is actively managing the situation both inside and outside KIIT.

Despite mounting questions from students and the media, KIIT officials have refrained from commenting on allegations related to forced hostel evacuations and movement restrictions on campus.

As the investigation continues, police have urged students to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands. The case remains under active scrutiny, with further developments expected as authorities delve into the circumstances surrounding Prakriti Lamsal’s tragic demise.

(Agency input)