AP Govt warns of Naxals in Telangan movement

Andhra Pradesh government on Thursday claimed Maoists have infiltrated into the movement for a separate Telangana state as the Supreme Court stayed the State High Court's direction for withdrawal of paramilitary forces from Osmania University campus, the hotbed of the agitation.

However, Justice Singhvi, who heads a two-member bench of the apex court, said "I don't think there are any Naxalites in the university."

The bench, which also has Justice T S Thakur, stayed the high court direction till February 23 and directed the State Home Secretary to "supervise" the paramilitary forces and ensure they do not misbehave with the students in any manner.

The apex court however, turned down the plea of senior counsel Harish Salve appearing for the state and Prashant Bhushan for students that the direction against "misbehaviour" should also cover the journalists who also were allegedly assaulted in a brutal manner by the paramilitary forces.

"At the moment, we are concerned with the students," Justice Singhvi said while refraining from passing any direction for protection of journalists as sought by the two counsel.

Earlier, assailing the February 16 high court order, Salve claimed "We have a strong perception that Maoists have infiltrated the university and are creating trouble."

Salve said the recent killing of police personnel in West Bengal and Naxalite violence in Chattisgarh and other places are clear indications that Maoists are behind the largescale violence being witnessed in Andhra Pradesh over separate Telangana state.