Nepal human rights body seeks probe into KIIT-Bhubaneswar student death

BHUBANESWAR: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of Nepal has approached its Indian counterpart seeking justice for students from the Himalayan nation who had allegedly faced ill-treatment at the hands of certain employees of a private education institute while they were demanding justice following the death of a BTech student from Nepal.
The Nepalese commission has requested India's NHRC to guarantee safety of their students and ensure a secure learning environment, while also pursuing action against university officials involved in the incident.
According to a statement by Nepal NHRC's joint spokesperson Shyam Babu Kafle, "The commission has written to the National Human Rights Commission of India requesting an early investigation into the incident of Nepali students studying at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University. The commission urged to ensure full safety to the students studying there, and hold the office-bearers to account with a fair investigation."
The Nepal NHRC noted that students, who were allegedly evicted from the university on Feb 17 following the unrest that took place in the aftermath of the student's suicide, are unable to return to campus, apprehending repercussion.
The statement added, "The Nepal's human rights commission has urged the govt of Nepal to take further diplomatic initiatives in this regard with India and create a fear-free environment where students can study."
Odisha govt reaffirmed its position that protection of Nepalese students remain their priority. A senior govt official informed TOI, "Our chief minister has already spoken to Nepal's Foreign Affairs Minister Arzu Rana Deuba and assured her stringent action would follow against those responsible. Our govt's high-level investigation is underway. KIIT authorities have been warned of action if they intimidate or nurture grudge against any student from Nepal."