CM expresses shock, orders probe

Naidu demand scompensation forkin of forest staff

Hyderabad: Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy expressed shock over the Tirupati incident in which two forest staffers were killed by red sander smugglers near the Paveti Mandap forest area of Tirupati. He condemned the killing as ‘inhuman’ and offered condolences to the bereaved families.

Kiran directed Principal Chief Conservator of Forests B S S Reddy to rush to the spot and ensure best medical treatment to the injured. He ordered him to enquire into the incident and submit a report. The CM directed police officials to take stringent action against the offenders. Strongly condemning the ‘brutal’ killing, Telugu Desam president N Chandrababu Naidu demanded the government pay adequate compensation to the bereaved families and take steps to instill confidence in the Forest department officials for fearlessly discharging duty. In a statement here he held the CM responsible for the growing violent incidents of smugglers in Sheshachalam forests. He faulted the government for failing to constitute a Task Force, as promised by Kiran Reddy, to curb the growing smuggling of red sanders. He demanded provision of weapons/communication system to Forest officials