Red sandalwood smugglers encounter: NHRC issues notice

Tirupati, April 7: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notice to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of police of Andhra Pradesh over the killing of 20 red sandalwood smugglers today.

Today in an encounter 20 smugglers were killed in an encounter. The police had said that they were combing the Seshachalam forest range when they found 80 red sandalwood smugglers.

NHRC notice to AP police:

The NHRC has sought an explanation from the AP chief secretary and the DGP about the incident. It was alleged by a few persons that the action was unwarranted the police had killed innocent workers.

Some had even alleged that firing on them was not needed since they had retaliated by throwing sticks and not gun fire.

The AP government will prepare a detailed reply explaining the operation and also brief the NHRC about the red sandalwood smuggling which is rampant in the area.

OneIndia News