Chennai, April 7 (IANS): Leaders of various political parties in Tamil Nadu condemned the killing of 20 people, mostly Tamilians, by the Andhra Pradesh Police on Tuesday for trying to cut red sanders trees.

In a statement issued here, DMK president M. Karunanidhi said the killing of 20 people, including 12 from Tamil Nadu, is a worrying factor.

"Though such instances have been happening for the past couple of months, the failure of governments of both the states to come to a solution through discussions has resulted in killing of 20 people," Karunanidhi said.

Expressing grief over the killings, MDMK general secretary Vaiko demanded the dismissal of the police officials involved in the operation and that they be charged with murder.

He also sought a judicial probe by a sitting high court judge.

PMK founder S. Ramadoss said the killing of 20 people cannot be justified by any means.

The smuggling of red sanders in Andhra Pradesh has been happening for a long time and the culprits should be apprehended and punished.

Ramadoss said there were around 3,000 people from Tamil Nadu jailed in Andhra Pradesh for smuggling red sanders.

He said a Tamil Nadu government bus has been confiscated by Andhra Pradesh Police for illegally carrying red sanders.

Despite all these incidents, the Tamil Nadu government has not acted which emboldened the Andhra Pradesh Police to gun down 20 people.