The expulsion of a Nepali stu­dent from an American college for allegedly possessing fire­arms and threatening to open fire at a poetry event has sparked heated exchanges, both for and against him, in the social media. Supragya Rijal, 21, who hails from the eastern city of Biratnagar, was the subject of legal and institution­al action, following an incident at Colby Sawyer College in New Hampshire. Legal charges have been pressed against Rijal.

The incident revolves around a dinner conversation between Rijal and another student at the college, identified by news reports as Hunter Fitzsimmons. Rijal claims that the conversation was about possession of a firearm by Rijal’s grandfather during his hunting days, back in Nepal. Reports have suggested that Rijal may have told Fitzsimmons, “My grandfather used to hunt, back in Nepal, and he taught me how to shoot guns. I am very good at it.”

The other student regarded that as a legitimate security threat, asserting that Rijal was “planning to shoot people at an upcoming poet­ry event”. Reports have suggested that Rijal said he “had a gun and a permit” and “no one at the school could do anything about it”. Fitzsim­mons then reported the incident to campus security, which forwarded the claims to the local law enforce­ment authority, the New London Police Department (NLPD). Rijal was arrested on October 3.

“He misinterpreted the entire con­versation and understood some­thing completely different,” Rijal told APEX. Rijal accepts that he did plan to attend the poetry event but has denied allegations of planning to incite violence. He declined to comment on other specifics.

Rijal was held in the local county jail for two days, after he, as well as his dorm room, was subjected to a thorough search by local law enforcement authorities. It is not clear if they found any incrimi­nating evidence. Rijal says he was released after that due to “personal recognizance”, asserting that he had received “character references” from other peers and faculty at the institution.

In light of the legal action against Rijal, Colby Sawyer College decided to expel him based on “security con­cerns”, and due to his previous his­tory of “drinking and assault”. Rijal has denied these allegations, stating, “The campus safety report about my prior violation at Colby-Saw­yer as assault is completely false. I have never been a part of any kind of assault”. The campus security department did not respond to our request for comment.

Rijal says his arrest was followed by an email sent to the entire stu­dent body, informing them about the dinner conversation.

When questioned about his own­ership of a firearm, Rijal said, “I have never had a gun or a gun license for a firearm in the United States.” Rijal would not be able to possess a firearm legally in the United States. He has stated that the dinner con­versation was entirely centered on his grandfather’s possession of a firearm back in Nepal.

Colby Sawyer College has also declined to comment on specifics, owing to its student privacy poli­cies. Kate Seamans, senior director of communications, responded to an email request for comment by APEX, stating: “Because of student confidentiality laws and policies, Colby-Sawyer cannot disclose any details regarding the circumstances surrounding any student’s standing with the college… It also seeks to balance the needs and the rights of the individual with the welfare of the community.”

Rijal has vociferously claimed his innocence and has repeatedly stated that charges against him will very soon be dropped. He has also said that he will appeal against the col­lege decision, hoping to be reinstat­ed to the student body.

Colby Sawyer College has provid­ed assurance that all claims will be handled in a professional manner, citing the possibility of appealing the investigation’s decision. The department of communications for Colby Sawyer College has offered this statement on Rijal’s possible appeal: “Students who are found to be responsible for violating the college’s Code of Conduct receive penalties which are based on the nature of the violation.” And, “All appeals are heard by an Appellate Board that is comprised of at least three board members who were not involved in the investigation or prior parts of the hearing process.”

Rijal can appeal only if he is acquitted of all charges, or charges against him are dropped by the pros­ecutors at the Merrimack Superior Court in Concord. Regarding the possibility of acquittal or dropping of charges, Rijal has said, “There is a high chance that they will be dropped soon”. But if Rijal is con­victed, he faces the possibility of deportation. He could be also be deported even if his expulsion isn’t revoked, as he needs to be part of an institution to continue to be eligible for his F1 student visa.

A complete detailed report of the incident is likely to emerge only after due process, both legal and institutional, is completed.