The Andhra Pradesh Police on Saturday said they had arrested two former students of the University of Hyderabad in East Godavari district, and foiled their plan to kill the varsity’s Vice Chancellor Appa Rao Podile, The News Minute reported. The police said the accused were identified as Ankala Prudhviraj, resident of Andhra Pradesh, and Chandan Kumar Misra, a native of West Bengal.
The accused were arrested from Pitchukalapadu Junction on the Bhadrachalam-Cherla Road. Police officials said they had met Communist Party of India (Maoist) leaders Haribhushan alias Yapa Narayana and Chandranna, and were on their way to assassinate Appa Rao Podile when arrested.
In January, the two met Haribhushan in the forest area between Cherala and Venkatapuram towns. “They discussed various issues relating to the University of Hyderabad, the suicide of Rohith Vemula and the developments following it,” East Godavari Superintendent of Police Vishal Gunni told the Deccan Chronicle. “During the talk, they planned to kill the vice chancellor so as to attract the students to the Maoist party in large numbers.”
Gunni further said: “The accused have been booked under Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code [criminal conspiracy] and relevant sections of the Arms Act. They have been sent to judicial remand.”
Cyberabad Commissioner VC Sajjanar said Appa Rao had been provided additional security. “We will review the security and increase it depending upon the threat perception,” he added.
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