The fear of Maoists' spreading their tentacles in Telangana region taking advantage of the statehood agitation seems to be coming true, with security agencies reporting that several "inactive" Maoists have suddenly started participating in the political Joint Action Committee on the issue.
The Special Intelligence Branch (SIB) of Andhra Pradesh Police, which monitors the Maoists, has reportedly gathered "credible information" about the outlaws carrying their activities under the banner of the virtually-defunct Telangana Political Joint Action Committee (JAC).
Though no Maoist leader worth the name is directly involved in the statehood-related agitation, many recent recruits in the force are said to be participating in the programmes under the aegis of the JAC, top police sources said.
Their targets are the ruling Congress and the opposition Telugu Desam Party, which they see as the main forces blocking the creation of Telangana state.
"When the agitation for a separate state began in late 2009, some Maoist elements joined ranks with the students of Osmania University and indulged in violence. Now, they seem to have 'graduated' to a higher level and started working under the so-called political JAC, though the latter as such exists only on paper," a top-ranking police official said.
While the political parties spearheading the statehood agitation always claimed to be leading a peaceful struggle, the violence that marked every major programme like the 'Million March' in Hyderabad clearly established the hand of "militant elements", he added.
{{/usCountry}}While the political parties spearheading the statehood agitation always claimed to be leading a peaceful struggle, the violence that marked every major programme like the 'Million March' in Hyderabad clearly established the hand of "militant elements", he added.
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