NHRC notice to AP on assault of TN villagers

National Human Rights Commission has issued notice to Andhra Pradesh over assault allegedly by its forest officials on poor villagers of Tamil Nadu.
NHRC has taken cognizance of a complaint with video clips alleging that forest officials of Andhra Pradesh were taking law into their hands, an official release of the commission on its portal said today.
The forest officials brutally assaulted some workers belonging to Vellore, Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri districts in northern Tamil Nadu.
"Allegedly, these workers were living below poverty line and depended on forest produce for their livelihood."
"Their abject poverty compelled them to cut trees on orders of some unscrupulous elements engaged in illegal trade of high value timber", the commission noted.

Justice D Murugesan, Member, NHRC observed that the law enforcement agencies can exercise their powers only in accordance with law and cannot take law in their hands.

The video clips showed an unarmed worker in nude and he was brutally attacked by persons claiming to be forest officials of Andhra Pradesh.
"Their action was not only brutal but also amounted to serious violation of human rights. Such actions should not only be condemned but also severely punished."
Notices were issued to Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, Andhra Pradesh seeking reports within four weeks.
They have also been directed to report on the action taken against the gangs involved in felling trees.