TIRUPATI: Chairperson of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) Ravi Thakur on Friday evening inspected the encounter site in the Seshacalam forest and enquired about any aid announced to the families of the 20 Tamil Nadu woodcutters killed in the incident about 10 days ago. After getting a negative reply from the officials, Thakur expressed displeasure over the officials not providing him with full and proper reasons for the ‘encounter killings’.
According to information, Ravi Thakur arrived at the encounter site near the Srivari Mettu late in the evening and was accompanied by the officials of the forest department and the red sanders anti-smuggling task force.
When Thakur wanted to know the reasons behind the task force teams opening fire on the woodcutters, the officials present informed him that the officials concerned with the incident were absent and the whole information could be provided only next morning.
The NCST chairperson was also keen on knowing whether any relief or ex-gratia was announced by the state government to the bereaved families. However, the officials told him that no such announcement was made. Speaking to Express, DFO G Srinivasulu said the NCST chief was particular about knowing what compensation the state government would be giving to the families of the deceased. “He was given all the information from our side. The remaining information will be provided by higher authorities,” Srinivasulu added.