KATHMANDU: Authorities in Siraha district have destroyed more than Rs 10 million worth of mobile phones and smartwatches confiscated from students during examinations.
The devices were destroyed on the premises of the Education Development and Coordination Unit in the presence of local representatives, members of the education committee, and journalists.
According to officials, the destroyed items included seven iPhones, 489 Android mobile phones, and five smartwatches. The estimated market value of the seized devices exceeds Rs 10 million.
The decision follows a directive issued by former Madhesh Province Minister for Education Rani Sharma Tiwari, who had announced that any mobile phone found being used during examinations would be destroyed. The District Examination Coordination Committee concluded that the devices had been used in violation of examination guidelines and approved their destruction.
To manage the confiscated equipment, a five-member subcommittee was formed under the leadership of Rajdev Yadav, section officer at the Education Development and Coordination Unit. Representatives from the District Administration Office, Nepal Police, and the National Investigation Department were also included in the committee.
Police said most of the mobile phones were submerged in water-filled drums for 24 hours before being destroyed. Waterproof devices were first broken and then immersed in water. Authorities said the process was designed to ensure that the devices could not be reused under any circumstances.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Ramesh Kumar Pal of the District Police Office said the decision was not made by police alone but by the coordination committee.
Chief District Officer (CDO) Surendra Paudel argued that auctioning the confiscated phones could pose future security risks.
The move has drawn criticism on social media after videos of the destruction were made public. Critics have questioned the decision, arguing that the devices should have been returned to parents after imposing fines on students.
Many social media users have also expressed concern over the destruction of expensive mobile phones purchased through the hard-earned income of parents, saying the authorities failed to consider the human aspect of the issue.
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