Tragic Loss: Nepal's Foreign Minister Mourns Nepali Student's Death in India

Nepal's Grief Over Student's Death

Bhubaneswar: Arzu Rana Deuba, Nepal's Foreign Affairs Minister, expressed profound sorrow on Friday regarding the death of a Nepali student at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

Following the tragic event, the Nepalese government has initiated diplomatic efforts to uncover the circumstances surrounding the student's death.

Deuba stated, "The passing of Prisha Shah, a first-year B. Tech student at KIIT, has deeply affected us. I extend my heartfelt condolences to her family during this difficult time and pray for her soul's peace."

She further mentioned that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has promptly engaged with high-ranking officials from both the Indian and Odisha governments, as well as the Nepali Embassy in Delhi, to investigate the matter.

Dr. Shankar P Sharma, Nepal's Ambassador to India, confirmed that the Embassy is actively collaborating with the Ministry of External Affairs, Odisha authorities, police, and university officials to ensure a comprehensive investigation.

The Odisha Government previously released a statement offering support to the grieving family.

According to the statement, local police reported the suspected suicide of the first-year Computer Science student on Thursday.

The university promptly informed the girl's parents about the incident.

The Odisha Government's statement read, "In this time of sorrow, the State Government stands with the family of the deceased and extends its condolences. Senior officials, including the Commissioner of Police, were dispatched to the scene to investigate the circumstances surrounding this tragic event, and a forensic team is collecting evidence."

Prisha Shah was discovered hanging in her hostel room on Thursday evening. She was rushed to a nearby private medical facility, where she was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Her remains were subsequently transferred to AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, for a postmortem examination scheduled for Friday, pending her family's arrival.

Shah's parents are expected to arrive in Bhubaneswar later on Friday.

This incident is particularly alarming as it marks the second suicide of a Nepali student at KIIT University within three months, following the death of Prakriti Lamsal on February 16 and subsequent assaults on other Nepali students by the university's security personnel.