KIIT VC tenders apology for untoward incidents over suicide of a Nepali student

Bhubaneswar, Feb 18 (UNI): KIIT University Vice Chancellor Saranjit Singh on Tuesday tendered an apology for the untoward incidents that occurred in the university following the suicide of a B.Tech girl student from Nepal.

In a letter of apology, the KIIT Vice Chancellor stated, "We are extremely appalled by the unfortunate incident that took place on our campus on the evening of February 16."

He expressed regret over the way some KIIT staff members behaved with the agitating students and said, "We love our students and have never done them any disservice."

The Vice-Chancellor further stated that the comments made by two officers were extremely irresponsible. He acknowledged that although the comments were made in their capacity in the heat of the moment, the university does not support their actions.

Singh added that the university has removed the two officers from service, and they have also apologized for their behaviour. 

"We, too, apologize for everything that has happened and hereby extend our love and affection to all students, including those from Nepal. We love them as much as we love the people of India and the rest of the world."

Additionally, the university has urged Nepali students to rejoin regular academic activities with immediate effect.

The KIIT University authorities also terminated two security staff members after a video of them attacking students went viral on social media.

According to KIIT sources, a dedicated control room is operational 24x7 on campus to facilitate the return of Nepali students.

The university had declared a sine-die for Nepali students and asked them to vacate their hostel rooms on Monday. The students were taken in two buses to Cuttack to return to their country.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police has arrested a third-year B.Tech student accused of in connection with the girl's suicide. He was sent to judicial custody by a local court on Monday.

Nepal Prime Minister, KP Sharma Oli, on Monday expressed concern over the incident and stated that his government had dispatched two officers from the Nepalese Embassy in New Delhi to counsel the affected students.

He further mentioned that arrangements had been made to ensure that Nepali students have the option to either stay in their hostels or return home based on their preference.

The KIIT issue was raised in the ongoing budget session of the Odisha Assembly on Tuesday, with BJP and Congress members demanding a proper inquiry and necessary action regarding the incident.

They accused the KIIT University authorities of tarnishing Odisha's reputation globally due to their unsavoury behaviour towards Nepali students following the suicide.

On Tuesday, KIIT students also staged a silent protest on campus, demanding a fair investigation into the suicide case and an apology from the officials of the ladies' hostel for misbehaving with students who were protesting against the unfortunate incident.

The Nepali girl student had ended her life by committing suicide inside her hostel room on Sunday evening.