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Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi promised Nepal’s Foreign Minister action for Nepalese student suicide and attacks at KIIT.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. (Image/’X’@CMO_Odisha)
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday, reaffirmed that Nepalese students studying in Odisha are considered children of the state and will continue to pursue their education with full respect and dignity, according to an official release.
Majhi made this statement during a telephonic conversation with Nepal’s Foreign Minister, Dr Arzu Rana Deuba, according to the release from the Chief Minister’s office.
He assured Deuba that the state government would take stringent action against those responsible for the alleged suicide of a 20-year-old engineering student and the subsequent attacks on Nepalese students at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT).
“The state government is closely monitoring the situation (at KIIT) and will take all necessary steps to restore the hope and confidence of the students,” Majhi said. The release also mentioned that Deuba expressed her gratitude towards Majhi and appreciated the steps taken by the state government.
Majhi later met Nepal Embassy officials Sanjeev Das Sharma and Naveen Raj Adhikari at his office in Lok Seva Bhawan, where he informed them that 10 individuals have been arrested in connection with the attack on Nepalese students.
“Strict action will be taken against all those involved in the incident. The government has made all necessary arrangements to restore the academic atmosphere at the KIIT campus,” Majhi assured the embassy officials.
As per the Chief Minister’s Office, the Nepalese officials acknowledged the swift actions taken by the state government, which had reassured the students and their guardians. They expressed gratitude to the Odisha government and especially to the Chief Minister on behalf of the Nepalese government.
The embassy officials also noted that Nepal and Odisha share a long-standing relationship and expressed hope that the recent events at KIIT would not disrupt this bond.
The meeting was attended by Odisha’s Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja and Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister, Nikunj Bihari Dhal. The two Nepalese embassy officials have been stationed in the Odisha capital for the past five days following instructions from Nepal’s Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli.
