File Photo: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu
Smuggling of costly red sanders to other states and various countries from Sesachalam hill ranges posed a "threat to democracy", Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said in Chennai today.
"Smuggling of red sanders is going on even now. It is costly wood. Since it not only smuggled to other states but also to various countries from Seshachalam hill ranges (in Andhra Pradesh) it is a threat to democracy," Mr Naidu, who was en route to Singapore, told reporters at the airport.
Red sanders, an endangered species, also called red sandalwood, has a huge demand abroad, especially in China and Japan and commands a good price. It is grown mainly in Seshachalam hill ranges and parts of Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh.
On April 7, 20 woodcutters from Tamil Nadu were allegedly gunned down in a police operation against red sanders smuggling in Seshachalam hill ranges.
Family members and relatives of the deceased had alleged that the incident was a "planned murder" by the Andhra Pradesh Police.