Rights groups demand judicial probe into Andhra, Telangana killings

Slamming Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao over the killing of five undertrials in a "staged police shootout", city rights groups on Thursday demanded a judicial probe into the incident.

City-based rights groups Bandi Mukti Committee (BMC), Committee for Protection of Democratic Rights, Association for Protection of Democratic Rights and Association for Protection of Civil Rights also demanded a judicial probe into the killings of 20 woodcutters by police in Andhra Pradesh.

"The BJP is well known for its right wing polity and the KCR government is too eager to follow suit. This is reflected by the way five under-trials were massacred in cold blood by the police," BMC general secretary Choton Das said.

"There are enough evidences, including photographs, proving the prisoners were gunned down in cold blood," said Das.

According to Telangana Police, five undertrial prisoners were killed in "exchange of fire" when they tried to snatch weapons and escape while being taken to a court in a police van. The incident happened on April 7 near Aler in Nalgonda district.

"In a similar fashion, Andhra Pradesh Police gunned down 20 innocent woodcutters branding them as smugglers. We demand a judicial probe headed by a retired Supreme Court judge in both the incidents," said Das.

Police gunned down the 20 woodcutters in Seshachalam forests in Chittoor district on April 7, alleging they were smuggling rare red sanders wood and attacked the police squad.

The rights group will be sending a memorandum to President Pranab Mukherjee.

"Besides judicial probe, we are also demanding immediate suspension of all the policemen involved in the twin incidents and adequate monetary compensation for the families of the victims. We are in the process of sending a memorandum to the president," added Das.