Probe ordered by Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM

Rajahmundry: Deputy Chief Minister and home minister N. China Rajappa said that a thorough probe had been ordered to find out the circumstances leading to the death of 20 persons in the encounters between the special task force personnel and red sanders smugglers and woodcutters in the Seshachalam forests.

“Based on a tip-off, the special task force personnel swung into action to nab the culprits. However, the smugglers and labourers pelted stones at them. This led to the task force personnel opening fire at two places in which a total of 20 persons were killed... I don’t think it involves violation of human rights.”