Tension prevailed in the High Court premises here after two groups of advocates, one in favour of united Andhra Pradesh and the other pro-Telangana, had a scuffle over separate statehood issue.
Around 40 advocates from both the groups were taken into preventive custody and forcibly shifted outside the main gate of the court while they held protests inside the court premises, police said.
Samaikyandhra advocates group wanted to form a human chain from the High Court premises towards Madina Circle while pro-Telangana group, opposing the same, tried to obstruct it and sought to take out a rally.
Subsequently, police intervened and brought the situation under control, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South Zone) Tarun Joshi told PTI.
"There was commotion for a while near the main gate following scuffle between few advocates belonging to both the groups. However, police dispersed the agitating advocates and around 40 advocates of both the groups were taken into preventive custody," Joshi said adding the situation was peaceful and no one was injured.
The protesting advocates belonging to both the regions raised slogans and counter slogans near the court premises.
Seemandhra advocates accused their counterparts from Telangana region of "attacking" them when they were planning to form a human chain against the move to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh. However, pro-Telangana advocates asserted that they were attacked by Seemandhra advocates.
Both the groups submitted written representations to the AP High Court Chief Justice Kalyan Jyothi Sengupta with allegations and counter allegations following the incident.
