'Credible' CBI commands people's respect, says NHRC

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday said that it has recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the Chittoor encounter because the investigation agency commands the respect of the people and is credible.

"The NHRC is of the view that the investigation of the cases should not only be free, fair and independent, but the investigation should also be seen by the people as being independent and impartial. It will be good that the cases are investigated by an agency, which commands the respect of the people, which has credibility amongst people," said NHRC Registrar, AK Garg told ANI.

"Therefore the NHRC has recommended to the Government of India and the Andhra Pradesh government to have the case investigated by CBI" he added.

Earlier in the day, the NHRC recommended a CBI inquiry into the Chittoor encounter and also directed the Andhra Pradesh government to give Rs five lakh to each of the families of the deceased.

Several human rights organisations have decried the police action and said that police gunned down the men in a fake encounter.

The killings sparked tensions between Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, with the Andhra government saying the men from the neighbouring state were red sandalwood smugglers, while Tamil Nadu said they were innocent labourers.

The encounter was the biggest operation in years to stamp out smuggling in remote forests in Chittoor District early this month. Most of the suspected smugglers hailed from Tamil Nadu.