TIRUPATI:National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) vice chairperson Ravi Thakur, who on Friday visited the site where 20 Tamil Nadu woodcutters were found shot dead ten days ago, and expressed dissatisfaction over the failure of officials in explaining the ‘reason’ behind the massacre.
According to officials, Thakur, who arrived late in the evening visited the encounter site. Besides Forest Department officials, officers of the Task Force were also present during the inspection.
When he asked about the reasons behind the task force teams resorting to firing on the woodcutters, the officials related to the case were absent. He was told that the information could be provided only in the morning.
Later, he enquired whether the Andhra Pradesh government had provided any relief to the bereaved families. Accompanying forest officials informed him that no such announcement has been made.
DFO G Srinivasulu told Express that the inspection was not to investigate the ‘encounter’. According to him it was to ascertain whether any help had been extended to the victims’ families either by the State government or forest department.
“However, he was given all required information from our side. Only the higher authorities could provide more information on this,” Srinivasulu added.
The inspection lasted for almost one and half hours. Deputy Conservator of Forest (task force) DNN Murthy, district officials and others were present.