Centre seeks report on rare wood smugglers’ killings

New Delhi, April 8:

A day after 20 alleged smugglers of rare red sanders wood were killed in an Andhra Pradesh forest, the central government on Wednesday sought a report from the state government over the killings.

pic: www.kntvnews.in
pic: www.kntvnews.in

A home ministry official told IANS that Home Minister Rajnath Singh has asked for a detailed report on Chittor forest killings from the state government.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu briefed the home minister after the incident on Monday night, in which “20 red sanders wood smugglers” were killed.

“Andhra Pradesh chief minister briefed the home minister yesterday (Tuesday). The minister today (Wednesday) asked for a report from the state government over the incident.”

On Tuesday, the killings provoked protests from various quarters and a call from neighbouring Tamil Nadu for an independent inquiry since most of the victims were from that state.

The government and political parties in Tamil Nadu reacted angrily as it emerged that 12 of those killed were from Tiruvannamalai and Vellore districts of the state and had gone to Andhra Pradesh forest to fell red sanders trees and take away the rare wood. They were mostly poor tribals. (IANS)

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