April 21, 2026 05:13 am (IST)
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20 red sanders smugglers killed in AP, TN demands probe
Hyderabad, Apr 7 (IBNS) After 20 red sandalwood smugglers were gunned down during an encounter with the special task force of the Andhra Pradesh Police at Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday, strong protests erupted from Tamil Nadu, which now wants an independent inquiry to determine how the men were killed.
This comes after speculations went rife that many among the deceased were reportedly from across the border.
"Such high casualty raises concerns about police restraint," Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam reportedly wrote to his counterpart Andhra Pradesh's Chandrababu Naidu, asking for an investigation into the encounter.
Nine alleged red sandalwood smugglers were killed in one place and 11 in a second clash a kilometre away in Chittoor in Southern Andhra Pradesh.
The encounter reportedly started after the smugglers attacked the police with stones and axes.
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