Protests against Chittoor encounter, bus services to Andhra Pradesh hit

CHENNAI: Protests continued in Tamil Nadu today against the gunning down of 20 people in a police operation said to be against Red Sanders smugglers in Andhra Pradesh even as bus services to the neighbouring state were disrupted due to stone pelting incidents.

Police said four persons were arrested over attacks on buses yesterday and police patrolling has been intensified at bus terminuses.

After stone pelting incidents targeting APSRTC vehicles here yesterday, bus services to the neighbouring areas were partially suspended.

Some buses to towns in Andhra Pradesh like Chittoor, Tirupati, Nagari and Nellore are being operated from here, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Vellore.

However, a few buses were put into operation today on select routes, like those to Satyavedu and Nagalapuram in Andhra Pradesh from Tiruvallur.

Police said seven slain persons hailed from Arni sub-division in Kannamangalam PS limits in Tiruvannamalai district of Tamil Nadu.

They are 1.G Moorthy (38), Mahendran (22), Palani (35), Munusamy, Perumal (37), Sasikumar(34) and Murugan alias Beeman,(38).

Outfits like 'Tamilaga Valvurimai Katchi' and Naam Tamilar Katchi organised protests in some parts of Tamil Nadu, condemning the incident.

The Tamilaga Valvurimai Katchi had taken to the streets yesterday demanding action against the police personnel responsible.

The police action had come under severe attack from Tamil Nadu government and political parties.

20 people were gunned down yesterday in Andhra Pradesh's Chittoor district in a police operation said to be against Red Sanders smugglers that came under severe attack from the government and political parties in neighbouring Tamil Nadu, which claimed 12 victims were labourers from their state.