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Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has assured stringent action against those involved in the alleged suicide of a 20-year-old Nepalese engineering student at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) and the subsequent attack on Nepalese students.
In a telephonic conversation with Nepal’s Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, CM Majhi emphasized that Nepalese students in Odisha are like “children of the state” and will continue their education with “full respect and dignity.” The chief minister’s office (CMO) issued an official statement highlighting the state’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all students from Nepal.
“The state government is closely monitoring developments at KIIT and is taking all necessary steps to restore the confidence of students,” the release said. Nepal’s Foreign Minister Dr. Deuba expressed satisfaction with the measures undertaken by the Odisha government and thanked CM Majhi for his prompt intervention.
Meanwhile, CM Majhi met Nepal Embassy officials Sanjeev Das Sharma and Naveen Raj Adhikari at Lok Seva Bhawan, where he briefed them on the arrests of ten individuals linked to the attack on Nepalese students. “Strict action will be taken against all those responsible for the incident, and the government has made all arrangements to ensure a conducive academic environment at KIIT,” Majhi assured the officials.
Swift Response
The embassy representatives acknowledged the swift response from the Odisha administration and conveyed that students from Nepal and their families were reassured by the government’s proactive approach. They also reaffirmed the deep-rooted historical ties between Nepal and Odisha, expressing hope that such incidents would not affect bilateral relations.
Senior officials, including Odisha Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja and Additional Chief Secretary to the CM, Nikunj Bihari Dhal, were also present at the meeting. The Nepalese officials have been stationed in Bhubaneswar for the past five days following instructions from Nepal’s Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli to oversee the situation.
The Odisha government has vowed to take all necessary measures to maintain peace and security on the KIIT campus, ensuring that Nepalese students feel safe and welcomed as they continue their education.
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