Foreign Minister: Odisha incident resolved through diplomatic channels (video)
Speaking at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) upon returning from the 8th Indian Ocean Conference in Muscat, Oman, Minister Deuba informed journalists about Nepal’s efforts regarding the incident.
KATHMANDU: Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba has stated that the Nepalese government took the death of a Nepali student in Odisha’s Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) seriously and resolved the issue through diplomatic channels.
Speaking at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) upon returning from the 8th Indian Ocean Conference in Muscat, Oman, Minister Deuba informed journalists about Nepal’s efforts regarding the incident.
She revealed that she had spoken with Odisha’s Higher Education Minister Surjya Banshi Suraj, urging a fair investigation into the death of Nepali student Prakriti Lamsal, legal action against those responsible, and a safe academic environment for Nepali students at the university.
Minister Suraj assured that the Odisha government had taken the matter seriously and had already formed a high-level investigation committee to ensure justice for Prakriti and action against the culprits.
“Following the incident, we immediately initiated diplomatic efforts. While seeking justice for the deceased and punishment for the guilty, we also coordinated with relevant authorities to ensure the safety of Nepali students studying there. The university has since apologized, reinstated students to the hostel, and taken action against the staff involved in the misconduct,” Minister Deuba stated.
She emphasized that Nepal has called for an impartial investigation and legal action against those responsible, while Odisha has already formed a high-level probe committee.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nepali Embassy in New Delhi remain in close coordination with the Odisha government and the university administration to monitor the situation.
Responding to a query, Minister Deuba acknowledged that Nepali students are now scattered across the world, but the Foreign Ministry lacks a complete database. She stressed that maintaining such records would be beneficial for swift assistance during emergencies.
“The government is often unaware of where Nepalis are until they face trouble and need rescue. The lack of adequate personnel at the Foreign Ministry further complicates rescue operations,” she added.
