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The Print
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
KIIT to blame for suicides of Nepalese students, says UGC; orders academic audit
Looking into the suicides, a UGC fact-finding committee led by Professor Nageshwar Rao has submitted the report, concluding that the university's conduct amounted to criminal liability. 'Instead of punishment, they (university) favoured the boy by pushing [for] forced illegal compromise with the girl. Later on, this led to suicide. The suicide case could have been averted. Members of the committee and senior administrative personnel of the university are liable for criminal punishment as per law,' the report has said. The consecutive suicides of two Nepalese students rocked the KIIT campus this year—third-year engineering student Prakriti Lamsal on 16 February and first-year BTech student Prisha Shah on 1 May. New Delhi: A fact-finding report by the University Grants Commission (UGC) has squarely blamed the May suicide of a Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) student, Prisha Shah, on the 'unlawful' actions of the university. The UGC has also called for criminal proceedings against the university administration as well as Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) members involved in handling a sexual harassment case brought to the fore by KIIT student Prakriti Lamsal, who died by suicide earlier in February this year. Following the first suicide, that of Lamsal, Nepalese students protested against the university. However, the university responded to the protests with force, coercing students off the KIIT campus after issuing a 'sine die' closure notice, with no future date fixed for the withdrawal of the notice. Security guards allegedly 'manhandled' the protesting Nepalese students, escalating the crisis into a Nepal-India diplomatic issue. The UGC report, now submitted to the Ministry of Education, investigated the circumstances leading to the suicides of the Nepalese students. It has highlighted grave lapses in crisis management, student welfare, and institutional governance at KIIT, held the university leadership accountable for the suicides, and recommended sweeping reforms. Speaking to ThePrint, a KIIT spokesperson said, 'KIIT-DU (KIIT Deemed to be University) is currently reviewing the contents of the report and analysing it thoroughly in its entirety. As a responsible institution, the university will take necessary steps to implement the recommendations in a time-bound and appropriate manner, in keeping with the highest standards of academic and administrative governance.' Also Read: 'No one can touch me'—Harassment charge against Krishna Kalpit shakes Hindi literary world KIIT's systemic failures The UGC fact-finding panel has stated that the KIIT administration 'needs to learn a lot,' considering its handling of Prakriti Lamsal's sexual harassment complaints preceding her suicide. 'This unlawful action of the university led to the suicide later on,' said the report. Weeks before her suicide, Lamsal had twice reported serious allegations of sexual harassment against her peer, Advik Srivastava. The report has further noted that the failure to address her allegations contributed to the second suicide of Prisha Shah, another Nepalese student at the university. The report has found the university-constituted ICC to have failed in its duty of taking lawful action and conducting transparent investigations into the reported sexual harassment case. Instead, the university had chosen an 'illegal compromise' to settle the two complaints raised by Lamsal in the case, the report has stated, adding that the administration 'prioritised the reputation of the university over regulations, law of the land, and international relations of the country'. The report has also criticised KIIT administration's use of 'brute force' against students protesting Lamsal's death while opting not to engage in dialogue. Calling the issuance of the sine die closure notice that forced Nepalese students out of their hostel 'casual decision-making,' the report noted its adverse impact on India-Nepal bilateral relations. The report also highlighted the gaps in the induction of Nepalese students, noting a lack of institutional protocols for orientation, cultural integration, or crisis support. It has highlighted poor hostel conditions, 'substandard' facilities, and Nepalese and Indian students housed in one room, without any consideration for their cultural sensitivities. The UGC has also flagged a disproportionate student intake relative to available infrastructure. 'The existing hostels, classrooms, and welfare services are inadequate to accommodate the real intake,' its report stated. KIIT's actions & what UGC says The UGC report has not only included the 'action taken report' submitted by KIIT but also the subsequent recommendations by the fact-finding commission. KIIT has maintained that it improved its grievance resolution mechanism, constituted a special grievance redressal committee for international students, and implemented a multi-tiered mental health support system, including partnerships with the Ministry of Education's 'Manodarpan' initiative and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's 'Tele-MANAS' programme. The university has also claimed to have introduced 'strict forensic handling protocols' and mandated 'immediate forensic intervention and evidence preservation'. Furthermore, it has created specialised kitchen zones for international students to get culturally inclusive food. However, the university has failed to satisfy the committee, which noted in its report, 'The reforms appear largely theoretical, lacking timely and practical implementation.' The UGC has ordered an academic audit, calling the 30,000-student population 'excessive' compared to the existing infrastructure. It has called for a formal orientation for international students, the installation of lifts in the multi-story hostels, larger rooms for students, and culturally sensitive housing arrangements. The fact-finding team has also recommended replacing the ceiling fans on the campus with wall-mounted fans, emphasising the need for transparency in handling crises such as suicides. This report has been updated with the KIIT spokesperson's response. (Edited by Madhurita Goswami) Also Read: Sexual harassment, suicide & gangrape—Odisha's 1st BJP CM battles fallout from rising crime, 'inaction'
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First Post
22-07-2025
- Politics
- First Post
After 6 years, India and Nepal resume boundary talks; working group to meet on July 27-29
Boundary Working Group is the highest-level bilateral mechanism for border fieldwork between India and Nepal. The BWG handles the construction, restoration, and repair of boundary pillars and clearing no-man's land read more Nepal and India are all set to resume boundary talks on July 27–29 in New Delhi after a six-year pause, with the seventh Boundary Working Group (BWG) meeting, the highest-level bilateral mechanism for border fieldwork, set to address the resumption of technical tasks, reported Kathmandu Post, citing sources. 'The meeting has been fixed,' said Lok Bahadur Chettri, spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 'It's a regular meeting which was halted due to Covid pandemic.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The BWG handles the construction, restoration, and repair of boundary pillars and clearing no-man's land, excluding disputed areas like Susta and Kalapani. Back in 2014, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Nepal visit, both nations had agreed to establish the BWG. It was also decided that Susta and Kalapani disputes will be addressed by foreign secretaries with BWG support. Prakash Joshi, director general of Nepal's Department of Survey, will lead the Nepali delegation, joined by representatives from foreign, home, defence, law, and land management ministries, plus experts and Armed Police Force members. Last BWG meeting The previous BWG meeting took place in Dehradun, India, in August 2019. It aimed to complete border tasks by 2022, but the Covid pandemic and a subsequent Nepal-India boundary dispute stalled progress. The dispute intensified in 2019–20 after India's map included Kalapani, prompting Nepal to push for BWG resumption in every high-level meeting since the pandemic. India, citing Covid, delayed BWG meetings but later assigned border tasks to security agencies. Nepal's Armed Police Force and India's Sashastra Seema Bal manage joint patrolling, intelligence, and local meetings to protect boundary pillars. A Nepali official attending the upcoming meeting told the Post it will pick up from 2019, reviewing progress and resuming fieldwork, inspections, pillar maintenance, and new pillar installations per BWG terms. It will also conduct a cross-border inventory to identify properties held by citizens in each other's territory, using GPS to monitor and establish boundaries and pillars. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The BWG is supported by the Survey Officials' Committee and Joint Field Survey Teams for technical input.
India Today
16-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
India-Nepal border to shut briefly on July 24 and 28 for Uttarakhand panchayat polls
In view of the upcoming Uttarakhand panchayat elections, the Nepal-India border points in Baitadi and Darchula districts will be temporarily closed on July 24 and July 28, officials in Nepal confirmed on move comes as Uttarakhand conducts its local body elections in two phases, with voting scheduled for July 24 and 28. To maintain peace and prevent any cross-border disturbances, border checkpoints in Nepal's far-western districts adjoining India will not allow regular crossings on these to Baitadi Chief District Officer Punya Bikram Poudel, the border restrictions are being enforced to "ensure security and maintain law and order during the election period in the Indian border region." While the closure officially applies to July 24 and 28, two of the key checkpoints will shut down for longer periods:Pulghat checkpoint in Darchula will be closed from the evening of July 21 till the morning of July checkpoint in Baitadi will remain shut from the evening of July 25 until the morning of July extended closures are meant to cover the periods immediately before the polling days, often considered sensitive from a security it's not a complete lockdown. In case of emergencies, the checkpoints may be opened temporarily through mutual agreement between the authorities of both countries, officials said. This applies to situations involving medical emergencies or critical travel border between Nepal and India is open under normal conditions, with people on both sides crossing frequently for trade, family visits, education, and healthcare. However, during elections or security-sensitive periods, temporary restrictions are often placed to prevent illegal activities, smuggling, or movement of on both sides have coordinated in advance to implement the temporary closures and ensure the smooth conduct of the elections across the border in Uttarakhand, which shares several rural access points with Nepal's western panchayat polls are expected to witness active participation from local voters in Uttarakhand's hilly regions, prompting the Indian side to enhance vigilance and request cooperation from Nepalese and locals who regularly use the Pulghat and Jhulaghat checkpoints are advised to plan accordingly and avoid unnecessary travel during the closure such temporary closures are not uncommon during Indian state elections, especially in districts that share open borders with Nepal.- Ends
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Nepal-India border points to be closed on Jul 24 and 28 for Uttarakhand panchayat polls
The Nepal-India border crossings in Baitadi and Darchula districts will be temporarily closed on July 24 and July 28 in view of the upcoming panchayat elections in Uttarakhand, officials here said on Wednesday. The panchayat elections in Uttarakhand are scheduled to be held in two phases on July 24 and July 28. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Healthcare Digital Marketing Finance MCA Data Science Project Management Operations Management Management others CXO Technology Design Thinking Product Management healthcare PGDM Leadership MBA Artificial Intelligence Cybersecurity Others Degree Data Analytics Public Policy Data Science Skills you'll gain: Financial Analysis in Healthcare Financial Management & Investing Strategic Management in Healthcare Process Design & Analysis Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business Certificate Program in Healthcare Management Starts on Jun 13, 2024 Get Details The decision to shut the border crossings in Baitadi and Darchula on July 24 and July 28 has been taken due to the upcoming panchayat elections in the neighbouring Indian state, Baitadi Chief District Officer Punya Bikram Poudel said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Compare Spreads: Bitcoin vs Ethereum CFDs IC Markets Learn More Undo The decision has been made to ensure security and maintain law and order during the election period in the Indian border region, officials said. Though the border crossings will remain closed on only two days, the Pulghat checkpoint in Darchula district will be shut down from the evening of July 21 till the morning of July 24, and the Jhulaghat checkpoint in Baitadi will be closed from the evening of July 25 till the morning of July 28, Poudel said. Live Events In case of emergencies, the checkpoints could be opened temporarily through mutual agreement between the authorities of both countries, he said.
India Gazette
23-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Eleven Nepali nationals being evacuated from Iran, expected to arrive in India tomorrow
Kathmandu [Nepal], June 23 (ANI): Nepal Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba announced that 11 Nepali nationals being evacuated from Iran in the evacuation flight being conducted by India are expected to arrive Southern neighbor by tomorrow. Addressing the parliamentary meeting on Monday, Foreign Minister Deuba informed that a total of 16 Nepali nationals are recorded to be in Iran, out of which 11 are being evacuated for now, as five remain in jail. 'Sixteen Nepali nationals are in Iran; last week, we requested India's Ministry of External Affairs to evacuate our nationals as well while they're evacuating their citizens via Jordan. They've agreed to bring 11 Nepali as well from the evacuation flight, who are now in Mashhad. hopefully, they'll be brought to India by tomorrow, and then they can come to Nepal easily. Out of them, one had to be issued a travel document, and there are five other Nepali citizens who are in jail after going to Iran through illegal migration channels. We are working to bring them back at the same time through this operation,' Foreign Minister Deuba briefed. The Indian Embassy in Tehran had coordinated the evacuation of Nepali nationals who travelled for about 900 kilometers overland from capital Tehran to Mashhad. As tension between Iran and Israel enters the second week, questions were raised about the evacuation and safety of Nepali workers in those war-raged countries. In her address, Foreign Minister Deuba informed lawmakers that over 2,000 Nepalis had gone to Israel under a government-to-government (G2G) agreement, and all relevant data of these individuals is available. The minister noted that Nepal's embassy in Israel is currently non-operational due to conflict, with the ambassador working from a bunker. Additionally, she said three Nepalis stranded in Israel would be brought back via Egypt, as Germany declined to issue travel documents. She also revealed that around 500 Nepalis have settled in Israel through marriage. 'We are in constant consultation with the ILO and IOM about the ongoing situation and the evacuation of workers from there. From June 17, we have operated the online portal through which the details about the Nepali workers who want to be evacuated have been asked to sign in. Till now, 8 hundred and 85 people have filled in their details,' Minister Deuba said. On Saturday, Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba had thanked External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for assisting in the evacuation of Nepali students from conflict-hit Iran, calling it a reflection of the strong Nepal-India ties. In a post on X, Deuba wrote, 'Thank you, External Affairs Minister of India S Jaishankar, for India's swift assistance in helping to evacuate Nepali nationals from Iran. India's support in Nepal's evacuation efforts reflects the strength of Nepal--India ties.' Earlier on Saturday, the Indian Embassy in Iran said that it had made efforts to evacuate citizens of Nepal and Sri Lanka and noted that the efforts were made at the request of the Governments of Nepal and Sri Lanka. The Indian Embassy in Iran posted on X that 'On request of the Governments of Nepal and Sri Lanka, the Indian Embassy's evacuation efforts in Iran will also cover Citizens of Nepal and Sri Lanka. ' The conflict between Israel and Iran entered its eleventh day on Monday. The conflict started after Israel, on June 13, launched a massive airstrike on Iranian military and nuclear sites, dubbed 'Operation Rising Lion'. In response, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched a large-scale drone and missile operation, 'Operation True Promise 3', targeting Israeli fighter jet fuel production facilities and energy supply centres. (ANI)
