Kakinada nursing college clash: CM Naidu steps in, 31 Northeast students given separate accommodation
Synopsis
A phone-theft complaint snowballed into a hostel clash at a Kakinada nursing college, injuring a girl and prompting an inter-state escalation — Manipur's CM was alerted, and Andhra Pradesh's CM Naidu had to personally intervene to restore order and house 31 Northeast students separately for their safety.
Key Takeaways
A clash broke out at S.K.
College of Nursing , Kakinada , on Saturday, 23 August between students from Andhra Pradesh and those from Manipur and Nagaland .
The dispute was triggered by a police complaint over the alleged theft of a Manipur student's mobile phone .
A girl sustained head injuries and was treated at Government General Hospital, Kakinada .
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand was reportedly alerted by students; the Manipur government raised the matter with Andhra Pradesh .
Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to act; 31 students from Manipur and Nagaland were given separate accommodation.
The issue was resolved amicably; senior officials were scheduled for follow-up talks on Sunday .
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu intervened on Saturday, 23 August after a clash broke out between students from Andhra Pradesh and those from Manipur and Nagaland at S.K. College of Nursing in Kakinada, leaving one girl injured. The Chief Minister directed senior officials to restore order and ensure the safety of all students on campus.
How the Clash Unfolded
Tension on the college hostel premises began after students from the Northeast lodged a complaint with Sarpavaram police alleging that a mobile phone belonging to one of their group had been stolen. When students from Andhra Pradesh learned of the police complaint, a clash broke out between the two groups. A girl sustained injuries to her head and was treated at the Government General Hospital in Kakinada.
Official Response and Deployment
Following directions from Chief Minister Naidu, Kakinada District Collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad and Superintendent of Police G. Bindu Madhav deployed a team of officials to the campus to maintain peace. According to the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), the District Collector and SP ensured the safety and security of all students, arranged necessary accommodation, and prevented any further escalation. The campus returned to normalcy after talks were held with both groups.
Manipur Government Raises the Issue
Some students from Manipur reportedly raised concerns about the prevailing environment on campus directly with Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand, flagging alarm over their safety. The Government of Manipur subsequently took up the matter with the Andhra Pradesh government, adding an inter-state dimension to what had begun as a localised campus dispute. This inter-governmental escalation underscores the sensitivity around the safety of students from the Northeast studying in institutions across other states — a concern that has surfaced repeatedly in recent years.
Separate Accommodation and Path to Resolution
District authorities provided separate accommodation to 31 students from Manipur and Nagaland to guarantee their safety on campus. According to the CMO, students from the northeastern states expressed satisfaction with the response of the authorities, and the issue was resolved amicably. Senior officials were scheduled to hold further talks with students on Sunday to sustain peace and harmony on the college campus.
What Comes Next
The incident has drawn attention to the broader challenge of ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for students from the Northeast studying in institutions across Andhra Pradesh and other states. Authorities are expected to continue monitoring the situation, with Sunday's scheduled talks seen as a key step toward lasting normalisation on campus.
Point of View
Often after routine grievances like a theft complaint are misread as provocations. The fact that students felt compelled to escalate directly to the Manipur Chief Minister signals a trust deficit in local redressal mechanisms. CM Naidu's swift intervention and the inter-state coordination that followed are the right moves, but they are reactive. Andhra Pradesh — and other states hosting large numbers of Northeast students — need standing institutional frameworks for conflict prevention, not just crisis management after a girl is already in hospital.
NationPress
23 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggered the clash at S.K. College of Nursing in Kakinada?
The clash was triggered by a police complaint filed by students from the Northeast alleging that a mobile phone belonging to one of their group had been stolen. When Andhra Pradesh students on campus learned of the complaint lodged with Sarpavaram police, a confrontation broke out between the two groups.
Was anyone injured in the Kakinada nursing college clash?
Yes, one girl was injured in the clash. She sustained injuries to her head and received treatment at Government General Hospital in Kakinada.
How did CM Chandrababu Naidu respond to the incident?
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the incident and directed senior officials to restore order. Following his directions, Kakinada District Collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad and SP G. Bindu Madhav deployed officials to the campus, arranged separate accommodation for 31 students from Manipur and Nagaland, and held talks with both groups to resolve the dispute.
Why did the Manipur government get involved in this incident?
Some students from Manipur reportedly raised concerns about their safety directly with Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand. The Manipur government then took up the matter with the Andhra Pradesh government, adding an inter-state dimension to the campus dispute.
What is the current status of the situation at the college?
The situation was resolved amicably as of Saturday, with the campus returning to normalcy. Thirty-one students from Manipur and Nagaland were provided separate accommodation, and students from the northeastern states expressed satisfaction with the authorities' response. Senior officials were scheduled to hold further talks with students on Sunday to maintain peace.
