Bhubaneswar, Mar 7 : As many as 1,000 Nepali students out of 1,100 have returned to KIIT-DU to resume their academic pursuits after temporarily leaving the campus in the wake of the February 16 incident, an official release from the university said on Friday.
The return of the Nepali students demonstrates the strong ties between KIIT-DU and its international student community, particularly from Nepal, it said.
The remaining 100 students are on their way and are expected to arrive soon, the release added.
The university administration, in coordination with law enforcement authorities, took immediate steps to restore normalcy and ensure the safety and well-being of all students.
The administration has expressed its deepest gratitude to the Government of India, the Ministry of External Affairs, the Odisha Government, the Nepalese Government, and the Nepalese Embassy in New Delhi for facilitating the return of the students.
The students were asked to vacate the hostel following student unrest triggered by the death of a third-year B.Tech Nepali student, who had committed suicide in her hostel room on February 16.
So far, ten KIIT-DU officials and a third-year student have been arrested in connection with the death of the Nepali student and the subsequent unrest on the university campus.
The state government has constituted a three-member high-level committee to investigate the incident, while a team from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is also currently probing the matter.
KIIT sources stated that with the situation now stabilized, the university has been actively engaging in dialogue with the Nepalese Embassy, student representatives, and parents to reassure them of the security measures and support available on campus.
Special grievance redressal mechanisms have been put in place to address concerns and enhance the overall student experience.
As a result of these efforts, the Nepali students have now returned to resume their academic journey with renewed confidence.
The university has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining an inclusive, safe, and academically enriching environment for all its students. (UNI)
KIIT-DU claims 1,000 Nepali students return to campus to resume academic pursuits
