Chittoor encounter a case of 'extra-judicial killing', says Majeed Memon

Nationalist Congress Party leader Majeed Memon on Thursday lashed criticised the Andhra Pradesh police for the Chittoor incident, accusing the force of faking the encounter and terming it a case of 'extra-judicial killing'.

"As a human right activist, I severely condemn the act on the part of the police and the paramilitary forces. The matter needs a thorough probe and those guilty must be subjected to the severest of punishment," Memon told ANI.

"The duty of the police is to catch criminals. Shooting should be resorted to only in extreme circumstances. There is nothing like going or preparing for an encounter. Encounters are never pre-planned. Encounters occur suddenly in emergency situations. The people in authority give the story of preparation of encounters when they are readying for a fake encounter," he added.

Memon also pointed out that the law does not permit the police to kill except in extreme circumstances.

"If the intention was to catch these people then they should have been shot in their feet or legs, however it is found that the police ruthlessly shot these people in the torso and head," he said.

"Even if they were smugglers or thieves, the police and the paramilitary forces had no business in straightaway shooting them and killing them. When it comes to self defence or execution of one's duties, the law does not permit the authorities to take someone's life," he added.

Earlier this week, the police in Andhra Pradesh's Chittoor district confirmed the encounter killing of at least 20 persons reportedly involved in the smuggling of Red Sanders trees.

Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission has issued notices to the chief secretary and the DGP of Andhra Pradesh, calling for an explanation for the act of the 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.