Congress alleges violation of human rights in Chittoor encounter of smugglers

Alleging that small fries were targeted in the police encounter against red sander smugglers in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday, state unit Congress President N Raghuveera Reddy said he would complain to human rights commission on the incident.

"There is no problem if smugglers are dealt with whichever way. But, ordinary people were targeted. Human rights violations cannot happen. We are writing to human rights commission on this," he told reporters.

Twenty red sander smugglers were killed and six policemen were injured in a fierce exchange of fire after they attacked the police in Seshachalam hill ranges in Chittoor district in early hours.

Red sanders is a rare wood that grows mainly in the Chittoor and Kadapa districts of the state. The wood has high demand in international market for its multi-purpose use, including in medicine.

TDP Government had formed a task force last year to crack down on gangs involved in smuggling of red sandalwood.