Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu briefs Rajnath about Chittoor 'encounter', MHA seeks report

New Delhi: As killing of 20 red sanders “smugglers” by his police created an uproar in neighbouring Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu briefed Home Minister Rajnath Singh about the incident and the action taken by the state government in this regard.

During their telephonic conversation on Tuesday night, Naidu explained to the Home Minister the circumstances leading to the killing of the 20 red sanders “smugglers” by Andhra Pradesh Police, official sources said on Wednesday.

The Home Ministry on Wednesday also sought a report from Andhra Pradesh government about the incident which led to protests in Tamil Nadu from where bus services to Andhra Pradesh were disrupted due to stone-pelting incidents.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister OP Panneerselvam has already written a strongly-worded letter to Naidu demanding a “credible and speedy” inquiry into the episode and responsibility fixed for possible human rights violations.

20 people were 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 Tamil Nadu which claimed 12 victims were labourers from their state.

Taking suo motu note of the incident, 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 could not be justified on the ground of self defence.

PTI