Position para-troops at OU till Feb 23, SC tells AP Govt

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah had something to cheer about on Friday as the Supreme Court stayed the ruling of Andhra Pradesh High Court directing it pull back the police and the paramilitary troops stationed on Osmania University campus.

With the Budget session in full swing, the apex court granted permission to the Andhra Pradesh State  Government to station the paramilitary forces on the Osmania University campus till Feb 23. Taking a considerate view of several  factors like the presence of  Maoists on the campus, which may hamper peace  in Hyderabad, the Supreme Court has delivered the order to the state'senior counsel Mukul Rohtagi.

However, the SC bench headed by Chief Justice K.G Balakrishnan stated that after Feb 23, the state government has to seek permission from the Supreme Court afresh in case the Government wants to retain the police forces on the OU campus.

In the affidavit submitted by the state government on Thursday regarding the case, the state government mentioned that the Osmania University campus has become a hot bed for Naxalites.