Anti-drug activist’s murder reveals Nellore’s dark underbelly

The prevalence of drug menace in urban areas is a state-wide reality, as evidenced by the recent murder of CPI-M activist K. Penchalaiah from Nellore city. This also shows drug dealers’ increasing intolerance towards criticism.

The usually peaceful city of Nellore is suddenly in the limelight for all the wrong reasons. Unlike in the past when drug operators were silent and untraceable, the entire State was shocked by the audacity of the ‘Ganja mafia’ to kill a social worker turned whistleblower in full public view.

Mr. K. Penchalaiah, who was associated with the cultural wing of the Marxist party, ‘Praja Natya Mandali’, had played an important role in creating public awareness about the ill-effects of consuming drugs and used street plays as a tool to encourage youth to stay away from the menace.

sudden escalation

Finding him a ‘potential threat’ to their existence, the enraged gang had him killed 10 days ago. However, police arrested the suspect by firing into the air in self-defense during a midnight encounter.

The incident escalated further when residents of the neighborhood revolted against the mafia and destroyed six houses belonging to A. Kamakshi, a suspected drug dealer. Nellore Rural MLA Kotamreddy Sridhar Reddy, who sided with Communist leaders while seeking justice for the bereaved family, was alleged to have played a role in extending tacit support for the demolition drive.

Mr. Sridhar Reddy not only called on Penchalaiah’s widow to offer moral support but also mobilized ₹ 10 lakh from party leaders and handed over the check for their children’s educational needs.

people’s movement

To talk HinduHe said the drug menace would be eliminated from his constituency. “Based on this incident, I take it as a challenge to make Nellore Rural drug-free,” he promised.

He recalled that the police department had begun cracking down on drug dealers by rolling out noise sheets and invoking sections of the Police Service Act.

“I will launch a people’s movement against anti-social elements and invite like-minded political parties to join hands,” he said.