Jaya seeks Naidu's help in release of Tamils in Andhra jails

Around 516 persons are under custody for alleged forest related offences Andhra Pradesh

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has requested Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu to arrange appropriate legal assistanct to the 516 persons from Tamil Nadu, who were arrested for alleged forest related offences.

In a letter sent to the Chief Minister of the neighbouring State, she said that according to information available with her, 516 persons from Tamil Nadu who were arrested for alleged forest related offences are still undergoing incarceration in different prisons in Andhra Pradesh as on August 13, 2015.

Of the 516 persons, 107 are in Cuddapah District, 109 persons in Chittoor District and 300 persons in Tirupathi Urban Police District.

Most of these persons are poor illiterate tribals and labourers hired by contractors. Many of the 516 persons, although accused of offences under non-bailable sections of the Andhra Pradesh Forest Act 1969 and the Indian Penal Code, are legally eligible for bail as the charge sheets have not been laid within the statutory 90 day period, she said.

They are still in jail and unable to move their bail application due to penury and lack of appropriate legal assistance.

"I request you to kindly arrange for appropriate legal assistance for these poor labourers through the State Legal Services Authority and also to facilitate the process of their release on bail, wherever they are eligible under the law," she said.

According to reports, hundreds of people from Tamil Nadu had been arrested by the authorities in Andhra Pradesh for allegedly involved in cutting and transporting of the Red Sandalwood, an endangered plant species also known as Red Sanders. These workers were hired by contractors and were resorted this job due to their poverty, reports quoting sources said earlier.

In April, this year, 20 people allegedly from Tamil Nadu were killed in the forests of Seshachalm, Andhra Pradesh, for allegedly cutting endangered plant species Red Sanders.