Andhra Pradesh Police and the state forest officials have arrested 63 red sander smugglers from the Marripadu and Veligonda forest areas in Nellore district on Monday. They have seized 40 Red sander logs worth Rs. 1 crore from the smugglers. Their arrest has significance in wake allegations levied against the AP Police over the recent encounter of 20 red sander smugglers in the Seshachalam forests.

Political parties in Tamilnadu state claiming that the AP police have brutally killed the innocent labour in the encounter. But, even while the situation is tense and the police are combing the forests, the red sander smugglers are continuing their activities as usually. Hence, the political parties that are making hue and cry over the encounter should reveal their stand on the arrest of the 63 smugglers also. Would they like to support the smugglers now also or let the police take action against them?

Their immediate arrest after the recent encounter reveals that the red sander smugglers won’t stop their smuggling activities even after watching the recent encounter. They appear to be come prepared to face any kind of situation. However, since they have surrendered to the police, their arrest has become a regular news item and goes unnoticed by the people.