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THE southern Indian city of Pondicherry was shut down by massive protests yesterday as a week of demonstrations against police killings reached a crescendo.
The protests began after 20 men suspected of smuggling red sandalwood were killed by officers on April 7.
Police claim they fired in self-defence when they were attacked “with axes and other sharp-edged weapons,” but witnesses say the victims were dragged off buses and killed when already in custody.
“These people were labourers hired for cutting down red sandalwood by those who illegally trade in it,” the Communist Party of India (Marxist) politburo stated.
“The state government and the police authorities have been failing to check the smuggling of red sandalwood and instead of taking appropriate measures in this regard, ordinary workers have become the target of police brutality.”
The party has added its voice to demands by the National Human Rights Commission for the Andhra Pradesh state government to launch an inquiry.
