Andhra Pradesh government communications advisor Parakala Prabhakar on Tuesday justified the action of the state police in the Chittoor encounter, alleging that the actions of the villagers forced the force to open fire.
"The large scale smuggling of red sanders has been going on for decades. Last night and in the early hours of today, about 400 people encircled a very small force of police and forest officials. They started pelting stones and attacking them; the police had to open fire," Prabhakar told the media.
"Today morning, the Chief Minister had a review meeting. We reviewed the situation and got reports from police. Everything will be enquired: the circumstances, the opening of fire and so on. Some of our officers are also injured," he added.
Earlier in the day, 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.
They said that the encounter had taken place near Tirupati this morning.
State Deputy Chief Minister China Rajappa was quoted by media, as saying that a task force of the Andhra Pradesh Special Police carried out the operation on receiving information about the smuggling activity.
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He said the smugglers hailed from Tamil Nadu.
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.