Alleging that the Chittoor operation was a case of "encounter killing", rights group PUCL has said that those killed in the incident were labourers against whom "excessive force" was used by security personnel.
PUCL also demanded the immediate registration of an FIR, including on a charge of murder, against police officials and those from the forest department who were involved in what it alleged was the planning and execution of the "encounters".
A total of 20 alleged smugglers of red sandalwood were killed and six policemen injured in a fierce exchange of fire in Seshachalam hill ranges in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh in the wee hours today.
"What makes the massive killings unjustified and unacceptable is that the Special Force, armed with automatic weapons, was allegedly attacked by woodcutters with stones, sticks and sickles. Even the police do not say that the woodcutters attacked them with firearms.
"In such a scenario, the shooting down of so many people is unconscionable, illegal and indicates an excessive use of force with the clear and deliberate intention of causing a large number of casualties," PUCL national general secretary V Suresh said.
He said police should explain why they did not follow the prescribed 'standard procedures' which required them to first give a warning, then shoot below the knees to debilitate any law-breakers rather than shooting to kill.
Suresh said, "The investigation should be handed over to an independent agency which should enquire into the manner of conduct of the Special Police Force and their compliance with prescribed legal procedures and the laws of the land."
What causes concern is those killed are the "lowest-end of the illegal timber cutting trade".
Those who have been shot dead are reportedly poor tribal labourers from Dharmapuri, Salem, Villupuram and other areas of Tamil Nadu who are lured into the trade by a well-organised gang of labour contractors, he said.
"The key mafia leaders who are making huge profits from the trade are rarely arrested as they are able to buy protection from the bureaucracy, forest officials, police and politicians.
"The smuggling of red sanders and destruction of valuable forests can stop only if the focus shifts away from catching the lowest-end woodcutters and labourers while letting the kingpins go scot-free," Suresh said.
