National Human Right Commission Mandal. From the media reports, it appeared that the police and forest officials opened fire as the smugglers attacked them with stones, axes and knives. 4.69 Taking suo motu cognizance of the media reports, the Commission vide its proceedings dated 7 April 2015 observed and directed as under: “The Commission considers the incident a serious violation of human rights of the individuals and the act of police and forest officials should be explained by the Government of Andhra Pradesh. Chapter - 4 at Etagunta and Vacchinodu Banda hamlets, in the deep forests in Chandragiri The Commission is also constrained to note that this incident has taken place at a time when a similar incident was reported from the bordering districts of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu in the month of December, 2014 wherein Andhra Pradesh forest officials were seen physically torturing and assaulting a man in a naked position and reports are awaited from concerned authorities and the issue is under consideration of the Commission. Issue notice to the Chief Secretary and the DGP of Andhra Pradesh. Response within two weeks. The matter shall be taken up for hearing in the Camp Sitting of the Commission to be held at Hyderabad on 23rd April, 2015.” 4.70 The Commission also received an intimation dated 7 April 2015 on the above incident from the District Magistrate, Chittoor which was registered separately but tagged along with the main file. 4.71 On 13 April 2015, two villagers, namely Shri Sekhar and Shri Balachandran appeared before the Commission along with the wife of the former and gave information about the death of 20 persons who were killed in the above incident. These witnesses wanted to give oral statement before the Commission. Their statements were got recorded by the Registrar (Law) of the Commission, with Annual Report - 2015-2016 63