Phone theft claim sparks clash at Andhra nursing hostel; Northeast students shifted

A clash erupted between students from Andhra Pradesh and the North Eastern region in the S.K. College of Nursing in Kakinada city on Saturday, August 22, 2026. The tension arose after a complaint was lodged with the Sarpavaram police stating that a student's cell phone was stolen. Upon learning about the police complaint, the Andhra Pradesh students confronted their North Eastern counterparts. One girl sustained a head injury during the clash and was treated at the Government General Hospital in Kakinada.

The Manipur students have reportedly shared their concerns with their Chief Minister, Yumnam Khemchand, who expressed alarm over their safety on the college campus. In response, Kakinada District Collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad and SP G. Bindu Madhav deployed officials to maintain peace on the campus. A joint statement from Mr. Harendhira Prasad revealed that the clash was caused by the theft of a phone belonging to a Manipur student, leading to the separation of the two groups.

Mr. Harendhira Prasad stated that 31 students from Manipur and Nagaland were provided separate accommodation on Saturday night to ensure their safety. Mr. Bindu Madhav expressed the intention to hold talks on Sunday, August 23, with the students to maintain peace and harmony. The North Eastern region students thanked the officials for their intervention in an audio statement. Mr. Harendhira Prasad directed the college management to provide separate accommodation for North Eastern region students on campus.