A student enrolled in a post graduation course in Hyderabad’s Osmania University was picked up from his hostel room by the Warangal police on Thursday night on the allegations of being a Maoist sympathizer, who was involved in the burning of a construction machine.

The Times of India reported:

Students of Osmania University said that Azad, 26, an MA Philosopy student, who was earlier an active member of OUJAC, had been arrested on Thursday. He was arrested based on information given by two persons held previously .The student, who was at C Hostel, was rounded up by several policemen. Police officials reportedly aimed their guns at him, dragged him out of his room, and then shoved him into a waiting vehicle, sources said. As many as 20 policemen were involved in this arrest.

“We came to know that it was Mulugu police who picked him up and we think that he must be a Maoist sympathiser,'' deputy commissioner of police (East Zone) A Ravindar in Hyderabad told TOI.

The Hindu reported that Azad was booked in two cases, both for burning equipment. 

While one incident reportedly took place in September last year, the other one took place in April this year.

The report adds:

Azad, police sources maintain, was identified as the third accused in the case and picked up on a tip-off that he was taking shelter there. Warangal police officials said they had only detained Azad for interrogation but didn’t arrest him. Meanwhile, mild tension prevailed near OU police station when a group of students staged a demonstration protesting the ‘arrest’ of Azad.