20 Shot Dead in Andhra Forests, Strong Protests in Tamil Nadu

CHITTOOR:  Among the 20 alleged sandalwood smugglers who were shot dead in the sandalwood forests of Andhra Pradesh this morning, many were reportedly from across the border, provoking strong protests from Tamil Nadu, which wants an independent inquiry to determine how the men were killed. "Such high casualty raises concerns about police restraint," wrote Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam to his counterpart, Andhra Pradesh's Chandrababu Naidu, asking for an investigation into the encounter.  "While police have every right to arrest and prosecute offenders, shooting them dead like birds is unacceptable," said Vaiko, the chief of the MDMK party in Tamil Nadu.   NDTV