Protests continued in several parts of Tamil Nadu today over gunning of 20 people, many of them Tamils, over charges of red sanders smuggling in Chitoor district in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday, with political parties and rights groups condemning the incident as a violation of human rights and demanding action.
The state government announced a solatium of Rs three lakh each to the kin of labourers who were killed yesterday in the police action
"The Tamil Nadu government has ordered a solatium of Rs three lakh to the families of each of those killed yesterday from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund," an official statement here said.
A team of Tamil Nadu revenue and police officials have been sent to Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh to bring back the bodies of those killed.
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh Revenue officials said they have made all arrangements to ensure that bodies are promptly handed over to the kin of those killed.
Hearse vans of the TN Health Department have also been sent to AP to bring back the bodies, the government said.
Andhra Pradesh police's encounter against alleged red sander smugglers that ended in the killing of 20 men, many from Tamil Nadu,had its impact for the second day in the State.
Bus services to and from Andhra Pradesh were suspended by both the Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh State transport corporations with a posse of police personnel deployed in bus stations following stone pelting incidents.
Protest demonstrations continued across the state, with PMK chief Dr S Ramadoss alleging that "this (encounter) was pre-planned and there was enough evidence to prove this."
"Since the killings are pre-planned, it is not fair for Andhra Pradesh to probe it. The probe should be done by a sitting Supreme Court judge," he said.
The issue should also be taken to the notice of President Pranabh Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the "victims' kin should get justice," he added.
Officials in Hyderabad said the combing operations were continuing today in Seshachalam hill ranges of Andhra Pradesh to nab "absconding woodcutters and smugglers".
Police said 14 red sanders smugglers in Chittoor have been nabbed since last night and it has seized 3.5 tonnes of the precious wood and five vehicles, all estimated to be worth Rs one crore.
