Odisha Govt Releases Action Taken Report On KIIT Fiasco

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Tuesday released the action taken report in connection with the alleged crackdown on students during protests over alleged death by suicide of a 20-year-old engineering student of KIIT in Bhubaneswar.

Action Taken Report

1. The police responded immediately and due to the timely action the accused person was nabbed at the airport and arrested by Commissionerate Police and was forwarded to judicial custody.

2. KIIT has appealed the students to return to the campus.

3. A dedicated 24*7 Control Room along with a helpline number has been setup by KIIT authorities for facilitation of smooth return of students to campus.

4. KIIT has apologised publicly for the incident and the same has been widely circulated.

5. Two senior hostel officials & one senior administrative officer of International Relations Office have been suspended pending through inquiry.

6. Two security personnels have been terminated.

7. Two security personnel and three directors of the institute were arrested by the police.

8. All psychological and other necessary support has been provided to the family of the victim.

9. ADM, Bhubaneswar, has been deployed at KIIT to restore normalcy and oversee smooth return of students to the campus.

10. Sub-Collector, Bhubaneswar, has been deployed at AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, for all necessary support to various stakeholders.

Earlier in the day, the government had placed KIIT under notice, and formed a high-level fact finding committee under Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Home Department along with Principal Secretary, Women and Child Development and Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Higher Education Department to look into the matter. 

Also Read: KIIT Issues Apology, Suspends 3 Employees For ‘Misconduct’ During Protest

Notably, Prakriti Lamsal’s death triggered massive protests on the campus on February 16 evening, leading to a controversy after the institution allegedly cracked down on the agitating students and evicted them from the hostel without making any travel arrangements, prompting the Nepal’s Prime Minister to intervene.

Amid the outrage, the KIIT authorities issued a apology, regretting the alleged misconduct of its employees during the protest. The institute also suspended two hostel officials and a senior administrative officer of International Relations Office (IRO) and ordered an inquiry against them.

Two women employees – Manjusha Pandey and Jayanti Nath – also tendered an apology for their ‘hurtful’ remarks after a video of the same went viral on social media.

Also, two security staff were removed from service for allegedly thrashing some of the Nepali students.

Also Read: 3 Directors & 2 Security Guards Arrested For Fiasco At KIIT In Bhubaneswar

Meanwhile, potted plants outside KIIT premises in Bhubaneswar and its signboard were vandalised by a group of protesters, demanding justice for the deceased girl.

The father of the deceased, Sunil Lamsal, had told ANI that he believes his daughter was “harassed and emotionally blackmailed”, ultimately leading to her tragic demise. He also confirmed that both the police and the university administration have been cooperative with the family.