Kakinada Nursing College Dispute Defused, 31 Northeastern Students Moved To Safe Hostel

Tension at SK Nursing College in Kakinada following a dispute between local Telugu students and students from northeastern states has subsided after swift intervention by the district administration and police. The issue reportedly began over a missing mobile phone and later led to allegations and counter-allegations between the two groups.

The incident came to the attention of authorities at around 5.30 pm on Friday after a mobile phone belonging to a northeastern student was reported missing. The students alleged that the college management had not responded adequately to their complaint and had favoured local students. The disagreement subsequently escalated, creating tension on the campus.

Kakinada District Collector Harendra Prasad, in a video statement issued on Saturday, said the phone was initially suspected to have been stolen but was later recovered. He said the recovery established that the incident had largely resulted from a misunderstanding, which had nevertheless triggered friction between the two groups.

Police and revenue officials immediately reached the college, interacted with the students and took steps to restore calm. As a precautionary measure and keeping student safety in mind, 31 students from northeastern states were shifted to another secure hostel with their consent. A woman sub-inspector was deployed at the new accommodation to provide security.

The Collector said the situation was currently completely peaceful, with police personnel remaining alert to prevent any untoward incident. He also urged educational institutions to deal with student complaints impartially and promote mutual respect and harmony among students from different regions.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the situation and directed senior officials to resolve the matter immediately and ensure the safety of the students. The Chief Minister’s Office said the Collector and Superintendent of Police acted on his instructions, arranged alternative accommodation and took measures to prevent further escalation.

The issue also drew the attention of former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, who spoke to the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister’s Office. He thanked Chandrababu Naidu for ensuring immediate protection and separate accommodation for the northeastern students.

Authorities said the students expressed satisfaction with the response and that normalcy has been restored at the college. The incident is being viewed as a misunderstanding arising from the missing phone rather than a continuing confrontation.