TIRUPATI:During the last three days of their inspection in both the encounter sites in Seshachalam forest, the officials of Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the AP government to investigate the killing of 20 woodcutters from Tamil Nadu on April 7, seized and sent bullet shells, red sanders logs and axes to forensic laboratory.
According to sources, the SIT team led by Ravi Shankar Ayyanar was engaged in inspecting the forest location at Sachinodi Banda and Cheekateegali Kona near Sri Vari Mettu in Seshachalam forest since Friday.
During the first two days, the SIT pressed bomb and clues teams from all the five police districts of Rayalalaseema into service and recovered six used bullet shells, 10 small red sanders logs and three axes from the spots. On Sunday, the team found five red sanders logs, food material, medicines, beedis, match boxes, a rice bag and some old clothes.
When asked, one of the SIT officials said they, along with clues team and metal detectors, will inspect each and every inch of the target location and collect evidence relating to the crime. Everything found will be seized and used in investigation, he added.
What was interesting was that the SIT officials found that woodcutters even used the precious red sanders logs for cooking in the forest. It may recalled that the SIT visited Tirupati and the forest in the last week of April and collected evidence from the forest.
With the deadline set by the High Court approaching fast, the SIT officials intensified their inquiry to hand over the report to the court. Hence, the urgency and attention to detail to collect evidence.