The encounter of 20 red sander smugglers in Seshachalam forests of Chittoor district on Wednesday morning has been strongly criticized by the opposition parties in the state and the political parties in the Tamilnadu state also. The opposition parties in the state are strongly condemning killing of 20 people by the state police.

PCC President Raghuveera Reddy condemned killing of innocent labour. He said that his party will complain to Human Rights Commission.

YSRCP spokesperson Vasireddy Padma flays the AP government for killing innocent labour. She said the state government has made a big mistake that may create tensions with neighboring Tamilnadu state. She said that the brutal encounter by the police makes the state ashamed and made the government accountable for it.

Political parties in the Tamilnadu state including the ruling AIADMK are demanding for a probe by a sitting judge of Supreme Court. They argue that 12 people killed in the encounter are innocent labour who were lured by the red sander smugglers. Hence, the AP government should grant relief to their families and action to be taken against police officials who take part in the encounter, demanded the political parties in the Tamilnadu state.

Tamilnadu Chief Minister Panneer Selwam wrote a letter to the AP Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu asking for explanation in this matter. The HRC has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports about the encounter and served notices to the Chief Secretary and the DGP of Andhra Pradesh. They were asked to submit explanation within two weeks about this encounter. The HRC at Hyderabad will take up this case for hearing on April 23rd.