Incident Overview
A dispute over a missing mobile phone at SK College of Nursing in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, escalated into a confrontation between students from northeastern states, including Manipur, and local Telugu-speaking students. The incident, which occurred on August 21, drew the intervention of senior district officials and police, who worked to defuse tensions and ensure the safety of all students.
According to reports, the phone belonged to a student from the Northeast who had left it for charging and later found it missing. The student lodged a complaint with the Sarpavaram police before the device was subsequently found. However, the dispute over the missing phone led to an argument that escalated into a physical clash, with students from both groups reportedly leaving their hostel rooms and confronting each other on the road.
Official Response and Intervention
The District Collector and Superintendent of Police intervened to bring the situation under control. Officials from the district administration, including the Revenue Divisional Officer, a trainee Joint Collector, and health department officials, arrived at the spot and spoke to students from both groups. The authorities also stationed a woman Sub-Inspector with the students overnight as an additional security measure.
Following the confrontation, 31 students from northeastern states were relocated to an alternate hostel with their consent, as reported by ANI. Students from the Northeast were also moved to separate accommodation, according to India Today and NewsX. Both groups had staged protests, and officials worked to mediate and defuse the situation.
A student representative, speaking on behalf of the relocated group, expressed gratitude to the authorities in a video statement, saying, "Now we are safe, and thank you, everyone--those who took us seriously and those who helped us. We don't know how to thank you properly, but we really appreciate it from the bottom of our hearts. Now we are safe; they gave us separate accommodation for the Northeast students of SK College of Nursing. We expect that tomorrow they will solve the problem completely."
Government Involvement and Resolution
The incident drew the attention of former Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, who said he contacted the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister's Office and posted about the matter on X. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the incident and directed senior officials to resolve the matter immediately, according to the Chief Minister's Office. The CMO stated that the issue was subsequently resolved amicably.
Additionally, the Manipur state government became involved after receiving a complaint from students alleging they were attacked by Telugu-speaking students, as reported by THE WEEK. The Andhra Pradesh CMO directed the district collector, the District Medical and Health Officer Dr. Anita, and the Sarpavaram Police Station SHO to conduct an inquiry. Officials questioned students from both groups separately.
Reported Injuries and Current Status
Some reports indicated that students were injured during the confrontation. India Today noted that some Northeast students were reportedly injured, with visuals showing apparent injuries. THE WEEK reported that two students from each side were injured in the clash, though this account differed from other reports. There were also reports that students sought shelter inside the hostel amid the tension.
Police officials confirmed that the situation is currently peaceful and under control. Students from Manipur thanked the authorities for their intervention and arrangements, expressing satisfaction with the outcome. The district administration and police have made arrangements to ensure the students' safety and prevent further escalation.