The Supreme Court today expressed displeasure that anti-Naxal vigilante group Salwa Judum and special police officers (SPOs) appointed to counter Maoists were reportedly still active in Chattisgarh despite assurances by the state government to the contrary.
"You said Salwa Judum is on way out, SPOs are no more there and we get to hear about their activities," a bench comprising Justice B Sudershan Reddy and Justice SS Nijjar said.
The bench made the remark when senior advocate T R Andhyarujina said one of the petitioners in the matter who had gone to Naxal-affected areas in the state was surrounded by around 50 SPOs.
He said another petitioner in the matter Kartam Joga has been arrested by the police.
Chhattisgarh police had arrested Joga, a Leftist leader on September 14 in connection with April 6 incident when 76 CRPF personnel were killed in an ambush by Maosits.
Advocates Manish Singhvi and Atul Jha, appearing for the state government, said they will answer all questions, including the situation surrounding the arrest of Joga.
At the outset, Andhyarujina submitted Chhattisgarh government has failed to file a comprehensive affidavit about the steps taken by it in Maoist-affected area on various issues as per the August 31 direction of the court.
The advocates appearing for the state government said it could not be done as the solicitor general, who has to approve it, was away from Delhi and the affidavit would be filed within a week.
