Just in: The National Human Rights Commission has ordered a CBI inquiry into the Andhra Pradesh police shooting and killing of 20 Tamilians who it said were sandalwood smugglers.


The incident took place at two places in Seshachalam forest area of Chandragiri mandal in Chittoor between 5am and 6am on April 7.

Twelve of the 20 people who were gunned down were from Tamil Nadu and the the then CM O Paneerselvam has claimed that the Tamils killed were poor labourers from the state who went to Andhra Pradesh for work.


Panneerselvam also sought a credible and speedy inquiry into the operation carried out by the "Red Sanders Anti-Smuggling Task Force" of the Andhra Pradesh police.


This was followed by a notice issued by the National Human Rights Commission to the Andhra Praderh government after one of its members observed that it involved "serious violation" of human rights of the individuals and the firing cannot be justified on the ground of self-defence.


Also read: 'Killing 20 people is a massacre; you can't call it an encounter'
The DMK, BJP, PMK, Congress and CPI claimed that poor labourers from the state were among the victims and asked the Andhra Pradesh government to "pursue lawful means" to check red sanders smuggling.