NHRC to hold sittings

Transcription

1 CITIES» THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Published: April 7, :00 IST Updated: April 7, :44 IST THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, April 7, 2015 NHRC to hold sittings SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT Cases on endosulfan, tribal issues to be taken up The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is holding an open hearing and camp sitting here from April 8 to 10. NHRC chairperson K.G. Balakrishnan; members Cyriac Joseph, D. Murugesan, and S.C. Sinha; and senior officers will be present at the open hearing. On April 8, the commission will hear grievances and complaints related to atrocities committed by public servants or the negligence of public servants in preventing atrocities against persons belonging to the Scheduled Castes. Senior officers of the State government On April 9, the NHRC will take up for hearing 24 cases, dealing with endosulfan and related issues, cases of death in judicial custody and so on.

2 THE TIMES OF INDIA Thiruvananthapuram NHRC set to solve a slew of plaints in marathon sitting TNN Apr 7, 2015, PM IST THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The open hearing and camp sitting of National Human Rights Commission will be held at Govt Guest House, Thycadu, from Wednesday to Friday. A high-level delegation of the commission, led by chairman Justice K G Balakrishnan, comprising members Justice Cyriac Joseph, Justice D Murugesan, S C Sinha and senior officials will be present in the camp. On day one, the commission will hear the grievances and complaints related to atrocity committed by public servants or of negligence by public servants in prevention of atrocity against people belonging to Scheduled Castes and the problems they face in seeking justice from government agencies. Senior officials of the state government will be present at the time of hearing of grievances. In the afternoon, from 2pm to 4pm, the commission will hold a meeting with state NGOs on human rights issues at the same venue. NHRC will take up 24 cases in the full commission and division benches on the second day. These will include cases related to endosulfan as well as issues of death in judicial custody/police action, vandalizing church, exploitation and torture of tribal migrant victims of Waynad district, trafficking of children from other states to Kerala for admission in orphanages, harassment of handicapped candidates in examination, rehabilitation of landless dalits, adivasis & others, death of devotees in Lord Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala, infants death in Attappady, child labour in children's home, nonpayment of pension, etc. On the concluding day, the commission will hold discussions with the chief secretary, director general of police, DMs, SPs and other senior civil police and jail officers of the state on the issues raised by the NGOs. Discussions will be held on Scheduled Castes and other depressed sections of society, exploitation of women, problems of tribals living in hilly areas, setting up for tribunal, water and air pollution, jail reforms and condition of juvenile homes.

3 Three-day NHRC sitting in Thiruvananthapuram from Wednesday IANS Thiruvananthapuram April 07, 2015 Last Updated at 16:26 IST An NHRC delegation led by its chairperson, Justice (retired) K.G.Balakrishnan will hold a three-day open hearing, and camp sitting of the commission on the matters related to Kerala here, beginning on Wednesday. On the first day, the commission will hear the grievances and complaints related to atrocities committed by a public servant or of negligence by a public servant in preventing atrocities against scheduled castes and the problems they face in seeking justice from government agencies. Senior state government officials will be present during the of hearing. In the afternoon, the commission will meet NGOs on human rights issues. On the second day, the commission will take up 24 cases in the full and division benches. These will include hundreds of matters relating to endosulfan as well as issues of death in judicial custody/police action, vandalization of churches, exploitation and torture of tribal migrant victims of Waynad district, trafficking of children from other states to Kerala for admission in orphanages. On the concluding day, the commission will hold discussions with the chief secretary, director general of police and other top officials.

4 NHRC to hold three-day open camp in Thiruvananthapuram from April 8 Apr 1, 3:53 pm New Delhi, April 1 (ANI): A high level delegation of the National Human Rights Commission, led by its Chairperson, Mr. Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, will be visiting Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala in connection with the commission's Open Hearing and Camp Sitting to be held at the Government Guest House in Thycad from April 8 to 10. Mr.Justice Cyriac Joseph, Mr. Justice D. Murugesan, Mr. S.C. Sinha and senior NHRC officers will also be present, an NHRC release said. On the first day, the NHRC team will hear grievances and complaints related to atrocity committed by a public servant or of negligence by a public servant in prevention of atrocity against persons of Scheduled Castes and the problems they face in seeking justice from government agencies. In the afternoon, the Commission will hold a meeting with NGOs of the state on human rights issues. On April 9, the commission will take up 24 cases, including hundreds of linked matters related to Endosulfan as well as issues of death in judicial custody/police action, vandalization of Church, exploitation and torture of tribal migrant victims of Waynad district, trafficking of children from other states to Kerala for admission in orphanages, harassment of handicapped candidates in examination, rehabilitation of landless Dalits adivasis and others, death of devotees in Lord Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala, infants death in Attappady, child labour in children home, non-payment of pension etc. On the last day, the commission will hold discussions with the chief secretary, Director General of Police, DMs, SPs and other senior civil, police and jail officers of the state on the issues raised by the NGOs. (ANI) NHRC, Open Camp, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, April

5 Explain killings, rights body tells Andhra Pradesh IANS Chennai April 07, 2015 Last Updated at 19:32 IST The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said on Tuesday it had asked the Andhra Pradesh government to explain how 20 people were killed in a forest by police. The NHRC said it has issued notice to the chief secretary and the director general of police of Andhra Pradesh, asking them to explain the killings within two weeks. "The matter shall be taken up for hearing at Hyderabad on April 23," the NHRC said.

6 NATIONAL» KERALA Published: April 2, :00 IST Updated: April 2, :49 IST Thiruvananthapuaram, April 2, 2015 National rights panel to hold camp in city The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) will hold a three-day open camp here from April 8. On the first day, the NHRC team will hear complaints pertaining to atrocities committed by public servants or negligence by a public servant in prevention an atrocity against Scheduled Caste community. In the afternoon, the Commission will hold a meeting with NGOs of the State on human rights. On April 9, the commission will take up 24 cases on issues such as endosulfan-related illnesses, deaths in judicial custody/police action, vandalisation of churches, trafficking of children from other States to Kerala, harassment of physically challenged candidates in examination, rehabilitation of landless Dalits, death of devotees in Lord Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala, infants death in Attappady, child labour, pension non-payment etc. On the last day, the commission will hold discussions with the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, and senior civil, police and jail officers of the State. ANI

7 Explain killings, NHRC tells Andhra Pradesh government ByIANS Tuesday, April 7, :13 Chennai: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said on Tuesday it had asked the Andhra Pradesh government to explain how 20 people were killed in a forest by police. The NHRC said it has issued notice to the chief secretary and the director general of police of Andhra Pradesh, asking them to explain the killings within two weeks. "The matter shall be taken up for hearing at Hyderabad on April 23," the NHRC said.

8 Andhra Police accused of human riots violations after 20 'sandalwood smugglers' are shot dead By MAIL TODAY BUREAU PUBLISHED: 23:16 GMT, 7 April 2015 UPDATED: 23:16 GMT, 7 April 2015 The gunning down of 20 alleged red sandalwood smugglers by an Andhra Pradesh special task force team on Tuesday morning has triggered a political storm, with many blaming the state police for violating human rights. Six policemen were also injured in the operation that a patrol team undertook in Seshachalam Hill Ranges in the state s Chittoor district. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O.P. Panneerselvam wrote a strongly-worded letter to his AP counterpart N. Chandrababu Naidu demanding a credible and speedy inquiry into the episode and fixing responsibility for possible human rights violations. +1 The bodies of suspected sandalwood smugglers, who were killed in an encounter with a joint team of special police and forest personnel, lie in the Seshachalam forest of Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh. Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission has also issued a notice to the Andhra Pradesh government seeking a report on the killings. NHRC member Justice D. Murugesan observed that the shooting cannot be justified on the grounds of self-defence, since it resulted in the loss of 20 lives. According to an NHRC statement, notices have been issued to the chief secretary and the DGP of Andhra Pradesh, calling for a report explaining the act of police and forest officials within two weeks. The hearing on the issue will be on April 23 in Hyderabad.

9 Political parties including the DMK, BJP, PMK, Congress and CPI have claimed that poor labourers from Tamil Nadu were among the victims and have asked the state government to pursue lawful means to check smuggling of red sandalwood. Additional DGP (Law and Order) R.P. Thakur said: Twenty red sander (red sandalwood) smugglers have died at two places. There was an exchange of fire with our task force personnel. They (smugglers) were carrying red sander logs and attacked the police and forest personnel with sickles and fire arms. They also attacked the personnel with stones. The police said the police team retaliated after the police personnel came under attack. The smugglers, once challenged by the police, tried to overpower the security personnel and take away the logs. In the process, they attacked the policemen, the police said. Meanwhile a massive hunt is on to nab the absconding smugglers. On the directions of CM Chandrababu Naidu, an aerial survey is being undertaken in the forest area. The police claimed that the smugglers have a history of attacking forest personnel and policemen. Two forest officials were stoned to death by red sander cutters in Seshachalam forest in December The state government had in June 2013 formed a Special Task Force to check the smuggling of red sandalwood. The STF had been carrying out raids on hideouts across Kadapa, Chittoor, Nellore and Kurnool districts to check the rampant felling of red sander trees.

10 F. INDIA Killing of red sandalwood smugglers snowballs into interstate feud, NHRC calls it human rights violation by A Saye Sekhar Apr 7, :03 IS Hyderabad: The encounter killing of 20 woodcutters, mostly coolies, in Seshachalam forest, the hill range consisting of the sacred Seven Hills of Tirumala, near Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday morning has snowballed into an inter-state political controversy. Even the National Human Rights Commission has issued notices to the Andhra Pradesh government on this issue. The "triumphant" officials of the state suddenly found themselves in an awkward situation after an avalanche of criticism followed quickly from multiple quarters on the encounter and the Tamil Nadu Government demanded an impartial inquiry. The bloodsoaked foothill of the temporal abode of Lord Venkateswara is located at Eethagunta and Cheekateegalakona in Chandragiri, the native mandal of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. Police personnel and officials after an encounter with red sanders smugglers in Seshachalam forest near Srivari Mettu in Chittoor district on Tuesday. PTI The encounter occurred when a special police party was conducting combing operations in the forest. The redsanders smugglers allegedly attacked them with stones. The police retaliated by opening fire, killing 20 of them. A majority of the 20 coolies, purportedly hired by redsanders smugglers, killed by Redsanders Anti-Smuggling Task Force belonged to Tamil Nadu. This has angered political parties in Tamil Nadu, even as activist VS Krishna and others too have raised doubts over the encounter, describing it as fake. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Pannerselvan demanded a credible and speedy inquiry into the encounter killings so that the truth would be established and responsibility for possible human rights violation fixed. He expressed his dismay and distress to know

11 that most of those killed in the encounter with the Andhra Pradesh police belonged to Tiruvannamalai and Vellore districts Tamil Nadu. He wrote to his AP counterpart N Chandrababu Naidu seeking to know if the Red Sanders Anti-Smuggling Force (RSASTF) maintained adequate restraint during the operation. He urged Naidu that adequate compensation be paid to their kin and also action be initiated against those responsible for the killing, if human rights violation was established in the probe. Earlier, DMK president and former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi had said that despite such incident taking place over the past few months, both state governments did not discuss and take adequate steps and now 20 lives were lost. He said that both states should take steps to avoid such occurrences. The NHRC issued notices to the DGP and the Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh calling for report "explaining the act of police and forest officials within two weeks. The NHRC will take up the matter for hearing in Hyderabad on 23 April, Deputy Inspector-General of RSASTF M Kantha Rao said that the individual criminal antecedents of the slain smugglers would be verified soon. Meanwhile, Additional Director-General of Police (Law and order) RP Thakur justified the encounter saying that it was an act of retaliation. The security men confronted them and asked them to surrender, he said. Meanwhile, Director-General of Police JV Ramudu called on Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and briefed him. The Chief Minister held an emergency meeting on the incident with his colleagues and briefed the Governor ESL Narasimhan about the incident. Redsanders has been a major source of disturbance in the Seshachalam forest for several years. One of the main accused, Gangi Reddy, in the attempt on the life of Chandrababu Naidu in October 2003, is also accused of largescale redsanders smuggling. Currently, Gangi Reddy is in Mauritius prison following a red-corner notice issued by interpol and his arrest. The Andhra Pradesh police are trying to get extradite him to India to try him under all the charges he is facing. Redsanders smugglers attacked forest officials on 16 December, 2013 killing two and injuring three. The fierce battle between theforest officials and the smugglers has been a bloody phenomenon in this part of the country.

12 Published on Deccan Chronicle ( NHRC issues notice to Andhra Pradesh over killing of 20 alleged smugglers, seeks report PTI April 07, 2015, pm IST Police officials standing at the encounter site. (Photo: Deccan Chronicle) New Delhi/Hyderabad: National Human Rights Commission issued a notice to Andhra Pradesh government on Tuesday seeking a report on the killing of 20 alleged red sanders smugglers by police in the state, observing that the incident "involved a serious violation" of human rights of individuals. NHRC Member Justice D Murugesan observed the opening of firing cannot be justified on the ground of "self defence" since it resulted in the loss of lives of 20 persons. According to an NHRC statement, notices have been issued to the Chief Secretary and the DGP of Andhra Pradesh calling for report explaining the act of police and forest officials within two weeks. The matter will be taken up for hearing in the camp sitting of the Commission to be held at Hyderabad on April 23.

13 The notices were issued after the Commission took suo motu cognizance of media reports that 20 alleged red sanders smugglers were killed in firing by a joint team of special police and forest personnel in the Seshachalam forests of Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh, in the early hours today. People's Union for Civil Liberties also condemned the "shooting down of 20 people" in Seshachalam hill ranges in Andhra Pradesh's Chittoor district and demanded immediate registering of an FIR, including charges of murder, against the officials concerned. "It's a misnomer to call this (as) an encounter, for in reality what has happened is a massacre of people alleged to have been involved in illegal felling," said PUCL National General Secretary Dr V Suresh. Stating that illegal felling of red sanders trees had been going on for many years in Chittoor district, he said such a huge (smuggling) trade could not have happened without the active collusion and involvement of officials of the Departments of Forest, Police and Revenue. He said FIR should be registered under charges of murder and a conspiracy to murder among others. Suresh said "not even a twig" can be removed without the Forest department knowing about it. "This massacre is nothing but an attempt to hoodwink the public about the wholesale deforestation that has been taking place because of the involvement of Forest officials," he said. Police and forest officials claimed they opened fire as the smugglers attacked them with stones, axes and knives. The matter was immediately brought to the notice of Justice D Murugesan who is in Thiruvananthapuram in connection with a camp sitting of the Commission. The Commission has also noted that a similar incident was reported from the bordering districts of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu in December, 2014 wherein Andhra Pradesh forest officials were seen physically torturing and assaulting a man in a naked position and reports are awaited from concerned authorities and the issue is under consideration of the Commission, the statement added.

14 Killing of red sanders smugglers serious violation of human rights says NHRC April 7, 2015 Filed under: Featured,Latest,Top News,Top Story Posted by: admin Killing of red sanders smugglers serious violation of human rights says NHRC Tamil Nadu has been rocked by massive protests against the alleged killing of as many as 20 red-sanders smugglers. Police claim that they killed 20 people in retaliatory firing. But, apparently people and protesters have a different story to tell. Reports suggest that Tamilaga Valvurimai Katchi members held rallies in many parts of the state following the killings. They claimed that the 20 people were illegally killed by police. The protesters claimed that police took law into their own hands by opening fire on Tamil Nadu labourers. They claimed that instead of firing at the laborers, they could have been arrested and prosecution could be launched in accordance with law. Protesters demonstrated in front of establishments with an Andhra Pradesh link like the Andhra Club. Also, protests were held in front of Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation buses at Koyambedu here and Kancheepuram. While talking about the death of 20 people, a Cuddalore report, quoting police, said party president T Velmurugan and about 400 activists were taken into custody at Neyveli when they tried to picket a marriage hall owned by the Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam (TTD). Some party activists were taken into custody for trying to picket the Andhra Bank. Political parties in Tamil Nadu like the DMK, BJP, PMK, had earlier condemned the brutal police action in which they claimed 12 victims were labourers from their state.

15 20 Killed in Andhra Encounter: Did the Police Use Too Much Force? Published On: April 7, 2015 Police in Andhra Pradesh shot dead 20 people who they say are smugglers, but the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has now sent them a notice which says the incident involved a serious violation of human rights and self defence can't be justified. Did the police use too much force? We debtae on Left, Right and Centre.

16 Bangalore Mirror 20 red sanders smugglers gunned down in Chittoor, uproar in TN By P Pavan & Gladwin Emmanuel, Bangalore Mirror Bureau Apr 7, 2015, PM IST The Andhra Pradesh police on Tuesday morning gunned down alleged 20 red sander smugglers - most of them are from Tamil Nadu - at Seshachalam forests in Chittoor district, sparking widespread condemnation across the county. A bunch of 11 were killed at a spot in Cheekatikona, another nine were killed at Eethagunta, a km away. According to police officers, most of the deceased were from Tiruvannamalai and Salem districts of Tamil Nadu. Till late in the day, the bodies were strewn all over the encounter spots. The Andhra Pradesh police, on its part, said the attack was a retaliatory act in selfdefence. "It was a joint operation by police and forest task force teams on a tip-off that about 200 smugglers had come to the forests on Monday evening to steal red sanders. Our men were intensely combing since last night and they came across the gangs around 5 am on Tuesday. The labourers mistook our forces for a local police team without weapons. Hence, armed with sickles, axes, swords, country-made weapons and stones, attacked our forces and forest personnel, injuring eight of us. It was then we opened fire," said police deputy inspector general (DIG) Kantha Rao, who was appointed to tackle red sander smugglers. Police also said around 180 more woodcutters had escaped into the thick forests. "We are on the hunt for them too", added Kantha Rao. By late in the evening, the issue snowballed into a political controversy between Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh since 18 of the deceased belonged to the former state. TN CM SHOOTS OFF LETTER Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam shot off a letter to Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu, expressing distress over the operation. Some of them may have engaged in illicit tree cutting, but efforts could have been made to apprehend them rather than cause high casualties. I request you to order a credible and speedy enquiry into the matter so the facts are established," Panneerselvam said. The National Human Rights Commission has issued a notice to the Andhra Pradesh government after one of its members observed that it involved "serious violation" of human rights and the firing cannot be justified on the ground of self-defense. Human rights activists also slammed the police action saying it was "disproportionate" to the crime. The NHRC sent a notice to the AP Chief Secretary and DGP on the basis of observations sent by Justice D Murugesan, who is camping in Thiruvananthapuram. The opening of fire cannot be justified on the ground of self defence since it resulted in the loss of lives of 20 persons," an NHRC released quoted Justice Murugesan as saying.

17 NHRC rescues 101 labourers engaged in bonded labour in Bihar Tuesday, 7 April :01pm IST Place: New Delhi Agency: ANI NHRC took cognizance of the matter on the basis of a complaint received from an NGO in the month of December, 2014 alleging that more than 38 families were being exploited under an illegal bonded labour system in the revenue jurisdiction in Madhubani. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has rescued and provided release certificates to 101 labourers of 38 families, engaged in bonded labour since generations in Benipatti Sub-Division of Madhubani in Bihar. Relief under various social welfare schemes including some land towards their rehabilitation by the concerned district authorities. Most of the rescued bonded labourers belonged to the Scheduled Caste and were of Musahar community. Two criminal cases were registered against 18 errant employers in the matter at the Police Station under various sections of law in February, The labourers past wages will be recovered from their employers. All the children of the rescued bonded labourers have been admitted to schools, 26 girls have been covered in Chief Minister's security scheme. In addition to this, the families of the rescued bonded labourers have also been given benefits of Indira Awas Yojana, Indira Gandhi National old age pension scheme, disability pension. Girls of marriageable age of 6 families have been covered under the marriage scheme. Meanwhile, the Commission has sent notices to the Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, Principal Secretary, Department of Labour and Labour Commissioner, Patna, Government of Bihar to submit reports on release of

18 funds from the share of the Central government in respect of 101 released bonded laboruers as well as details about the remaining amount from the State government within six weeks. A notice has also been sent to the District Magistrate, Madhubani, Bihar to submit a report on further steps taken for rehabilitation of the victims and status of all the cases pending investigation with police and pending adjudication before the courts within six weeks. NHRC Member, Mr. Justice D. Murugesan has appreciated the efforts of two officers of the Commission, Mr. A.K. Parashar, Joint Registrar (Law) and Mr. O.P. Vyas, Assistant Registrar (Law), who conducted spot enquiry in the matter. They have also been directed to visit the victims after about three months to assess the rehabilitation measures taken by the State Government. He has also placed on record the efforts of District Magistrate, Madhubani and Sub- Divisional Magistrate, Benipatti for their monitoring the investigation being carried out by the police in both the criminal cases besides the cases launched by the Labour Department in the Benipatti Court. The District Magistrate has also assured to have taken all necessary steps for ensuring safety and security of the victims, mostly belonging to Scheduled Caste. NHRC took cognizance of the matter on the basis of a complaint received from an NGO in the month of December, 2014 alleging that more than 38 families were being exploited under an illegal bonded labour system in the revenue jurisdiction in Madhubani. These labourers were forced to work by their respective employers at their respective agricultural lands under 'Kamiya' bonded labour custom. The labourers were working since generations. They were not paid their statutory minimum wages, instead they received two kilograms each (husband and wife) of raw rice per day against their hard labour rendered. Most of the labourers belong to the Scheduled Caste category (Musahar) and worked more than 10 hours a day. They were trapped in a customary bonded labour system in which they were not free to move out or to be employed elsewhere.

19 NHRC rescues 101 bonded labourers in Bihar IANS New Delhi April 07, 2015 Last Updated at 23:10 IST The NHRC on Tuesday said it has rescued 101 bonded labourers from Madhubani in Bihar, after an NGO complained they were being made to work forcefully on agricultural lands and not being paid minimum wages. The 101 labourers from 38 families were Musahars, a community classified as Scheduled Caste. The rescue operation was carried out following a complaint received from an NGO in December The labourers have been provided relief under various social welfare schemes including some land towards their rehabilitation, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said. Two criminal cases have been registered against 18 employers and the outstanding wages will be recovered from them. "All the children have been admitted to schools while 26 girls will benefit from the chief minister's security scheme. The families have also been given benefits under the Indira Awas Yojana, Indira Gandhi national old age pension scheme and disability pension." A notice has been issued to the secretary of the labour and employment ministry, principal secretary of the labour department, as well as the labour commissioner of Patna, asking them to release funds for the rescued people. Meanwhile, a notice has also been sent to the Madhubani district magistrate, who has been asked to submit a report on steps taken for the rehabilitation of the victims and status of all the pending cases within six weeks.

20 20 red sanders smugglers killed in Chittoor, uproar in Tami Nadu By Press Trust of April 07, :08 PM Chittoor/Chennai, Apr 7: 20 people were today gunned down in Andhra Pradesh s Chittoor district in a police operation said to be against Red Sanders smugglers that came under severe attack from the government and political parties in neighbouring Tamil Nadu, which claimed 12 victims were labourers from their state. Taking suo motu note of the incident, the National Human Rights Commission has issued a notice to Andhra Praderh government after one of its members observed that it involved serious violation of human rights of the individuals and the firing cannot be justified on the ground of self defence. Human rights activists and a former AP DGP also criticised the police action saying it was disproportionate to the crime. Police claimed that six of its personnel were also injured in an attack by the smugglers allegedly armed with sickles, axes and countrymade weapons. They claimed that the task force and forest personnel, during a joint combing operation, spotted over 200 red sanders woodcutters involved in felling trees and they were asked to surrender. However, the smugglers, armed with sickles, axes, swords, country-made weapons and stones, attacked the police and forest personnel injuring six policemen, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Special Task Force) M Kantha Rao told PTI. In retaliation, when the police fired in self-defence, 20 of the smugglers were killed and many others fled the scene, he said. The Andhra police action elicited strong political reaction from parties in Tamil Nadu. Chief Minister O P Panneerselvam wrote a strongly-worded letter to his counterpart N Chandrababu Naidu demanding a credible and speedy inquiry into the episode and responsibility fixed for possible human rights violations. Acknowledging that some of these people Thiruvannamalai and Vellore districts of Tamil Nadu were engaged in illicit tree cutting, he said efforts could have been made to apprehend them than taking such a drastic action. DMK, BJP, PMK, Congress and CPI claimed that poor labourers from the state were among the victims and asked the Andhra Pradesh government to pursue lawful means to check red sanders smuggling. Claiming that they were innocent labourers from Tamil Nadu who were lured with higher wages to forests in neighbouring Chittoor, NDA ally, PMK chief Ramadoss said their being shot down without even an inquiry was unacceptable. Dismissing claims of Andhra Pradesh police that they opened fire in self-defence, he said it was a plain lie and demanded a probe by a sitting judge of Supreme Court besides seeking relief to those killed and action against police officials. DMK chief Karunanidhi, in a statement said, governments of both the states should announce relief to the families of the labourers killed in the exchange of fire. Red sanders, an endangered species also called red sandalwood, has a huge demand abroad, specially in China and Japan, and commands a good price.it is grown mainly in Seshachalam hill

21 ranges spread across Kadapa, Chittoor and Kurnool in Rayalaseema region and parts of Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh. The NHRC sent a notice to the AP Chief Secretary and DGP on the basis of observations sent by one of its members Justice D Murugesan, who is camping in Thiruvananthapuram, sent his observations that the incident involved a serious violation of human rights. The opening of fire cannot be justified on the ground of self defence since it resulted in the loss of lives of 20 persons, an NHRC released quoted Justice Murugesan as saying. The NHRC demanded a report from explaining the act of police and forest officials within two months. A former DGP of Andhra Pradesh also disapproved of firing saying it seems excessive and disproportionate to the crime. Even if they are smugglers you can t justify opening firing. It can t be a justification, he said. V S Krishna of the Human Rights Forum, AP, demanded registration of a case of murder against the policemen who had participated in the encounter. Police said a massive hunt is on at different check posts to nab the absconding smugglers. An aerial survey is also being undertaken in the forest area. They (red sander smuggler) have a history of attacking forest personnel and policemen. Two forest officials were stoned to death by red sander cutters in Seshachalam forest in December 2013, Rao said. Today s incident took place at two places in Seshachalam forest area of Chandragiri mandal in Chittoor between 5 AM and 6 AM. Twenty red sander smugglers have died at two places. There was an exchange of fire with our task force personnel. They (smugglers) were carrying red sander logs and attacked the police and forest personnel with sickles and fire arms. They also attacked the personnel with stones, Additional DGP (Law and Order) R P Thakur told PTI. After the police personnel came under attack, they retaliated, he said. The smugglers, once challenged by the police, tried to overpower the security personnel and carry away the logs. In the process, they attacked the policemen, Thakur said. There have been similar incidents last year also in which the red sanders smugglers attacked police and forest personnel, who too retaliated resulting in killing of some of the smugglers. The Andhra Pradesh government had in June 2013 formed a Special Task Force to check smuggling of red sanders. The STF comprises officers from police and forest departments and it has been carrying out raids on the hideouts across Kadapa, Chittoor, Nellore and Kurnool districts to check the rampant felling of red sander trees. The mandate of the dedicated team (the special task force) is to curb smuggling of red sanders in Kadapa, Chittoor and Nellore districts, from where illegal felling and transportation of the precious and endangered wood had been widely reported. Modified Date: April 07, :08 PM

22 NHRC issues notices to Andhra Chief Secretary, DGP over Chittoor encounter Tuesday, 7 April :17pm IST Place: Thiruvananthapuram Agency: ANI NHRC Member Justice D. Murugesan said the opening of firing cannot be justified on the ground of self defence since it resulted in the loss of lives of 20 persons. At least 20 red-sandalwood smugglers were killed on Tuesday in an encounter with police. Image credit: ANI. The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports that 20 alleged red sanders smugglers were killed in firing by a joint team of special police and forest personnel in the Seshachalam forests of Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh. According to the media reports, the incident took place at Etagunta and Vacchinodu Banda hamlets, in the deep forest in Chandragiri Mandal, earlier in the day. It appears that police and forest officials opened fire as the smugglers attacked them with stones, axes and knives. The matter was immediately brought to the notice of NHRC Member Justice D. Murugesan who is camping in Thiruvananthapuram in connection with the camp sitting of the Commission. He observed that the incident involved a serious violation of human rights of the individuals and the opening of firing cannot be justified on the ground of self defence since it resulted in the loss of lives of 20 persons. Accordingly, notices have been issued to the chief secretary and the DGP of Andhra Pradesh calling for report explaining the act of police and forest officials within two weeks. The matter shall be taken up for hearing in the camp sitting of the commission to be held at Hyderabad on April 23. The commission has also noted that this incident has taken place at a time when a similar incident was reported from the bordering districts of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu in the month of December, 2014 wherein Andhra Pradesh forest officials were seen physically torturing and assaulting a man in a naked position and reports are awaited from concerned authorities and the issue is under consideration of the commission.

23 NHRC issues notices to Andhra Chief Secretary, DGP over Chittoor encounter ANI Thiruvananthapuram April 07, 2015 Last Updated at 18:56 IST The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports that 20 alleged red sanders smugglers were killed in firing by a joint team of special police and forest personnel in the Seshachalam forests of Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh. According to the media reports, the incident took place at Etagunta and Vacchinodu Banda hamlets, in the deep forest in Chandragiri Mandal, earlier in the day. It appears that police and forest officials opened fire as the smugglers attacked them with stones, axes and knives. The matter was immediately brought to the notice of NHRC Member Justice D. Murugesan who is camping in Thiruvananthapuram in connection with the camp sitting of the Commission. He observed that the incident involved a serious violation of human rights of the individuals and the opening of firing cannot be justified on the ground of self defence since it resulted in the loss of lives of 20 persons. Accordingly, notices have been issued to the chief secretary and the DGP of Andhra Pradesh calling for report explaining the act of police and forest officials within two weeks. The matter shall be taken up for hearing in the camp sitting of the commission to be held at Hyderabad on April 23. The commission has also noted that this incident has taken place at a time when a similar incident was reported from the bordering districts of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu in the month of December, 2014 wherein Andhra Pradesh forest officials were seen physically torturing and assaulting a man in a naked position and reports are awaited from concerned authorities and the issue is under consideration of the commission.