TN govt demands probe into AP encounter killings

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, in a letter to his counter part in Andhra Pradesh, said he was distressed to learn that many of the persons who were shot dead by the police in Andhra Pradesh were reportedly from Tamil Nadu. The letter said the occurrence of such high casualties in the operation by the Red Sanders Anti-Smuggling Force raises concerns whether the task force personnel had acted with adequate restraint. Panneerselvam requested his Andhra Pradesh counterpart to order a credible and speedy inquiry into the matter so that the facts are established and responsibility fixed for possible human rights violations. "In case of any human rights violations, it is essential that action is taken against those who caused the deaths and appropriate compensation is paid to the families of the victims,” Panneerselvam demanded.