Kathmandu: The parliament has instructed the government to initiate an investigation into the suspicious death of Prisa Saha, a student from the Kalinga Institute of Technology (KIIT) in Odisha, India, and to ensure the safety and security of other Nepali students studying abroad. This directive came during a meeting of the House of Representatives, where Speaker Devraj Ghimire emphasized the importance of uncovering the truth behind the incident.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Speaker Ghimire highlighted the urgency of addressing the recurring deaths of Nepali students overseas, questioning the sensitivity and responsibility of the nation in such matters. He urged the government to initiate discussions with the concerned parties and provide judicial support to the bereaved family. Additionally, he stressed the need for measures to protect Nepali students living abroad.
The death of Prisa Saha has sparked concerns among lawmakers, with some drawing parallels to the mysterious death of another Nepali student, Prakriti Lamsal, at the same university. Lawmakers Devendra Paudel, Dr. Amresh Kumar Singh, Ram Krishna Yadav, and Nirmala Koirala, among others, have raised alarms about the safety of students in foreign institutions.
In a related matter, the parliament also discussed the arrest of Resham Chaudhary, patron of the Nagarik Unmukti Party. Lawmaker Lalbir Chaudhary threatened that his party would withdraw from the government if no action was taken regarding Chaudhary’s arrest, which was allegedly based on a fraudulent Supreme Court letter. Other lawmakers, including Dr. Amresh Kumar Singh and Mahantha Thakur, criticized the government’s handling of the situation, citing discrimination against the people of Tarai Madhes.
During the Zero Hour, various lawmakers addressed other pressing issues. Sita Kumari Rana called for early warning systems in Dailekh district to prevent lightning-related deaths, while Bina Lama demanded the formation of a judicial inquiry committee to investigate the March 28 Tinkune incident. Biraj Bhakta Shrestha emphasized the conservation of the historic Palkiyamai Temple, and several lawmakers highlighted the need for timely road construction and zero tolerance towards irregularities in National Pride Projects.
Additionally, Shishir Khanal urged the Ministry of Home Affairs to improve safety in the Gongabu bus park area, and Shobha Gyawali called for stricter evaluations of contractors to ensure timely project completion. Other lawmakers focused on issues such as increasing the agriculture budget, addressing river erosion risks, and ensuring timely distribution of fertilizers and wetland conservation. The delay in the construction of the federal parliament building was also criticized by Sita Mijar.