The prevalence of drug menace in pockets of urban areas is a reality across the State, as is exposed by the recent murder of CPI-M activist K. Penchalaiah of Nellore city. It also shows the growing intolerance of the drug peddlers to criticism.
The usually-peaceful Nellore city suddenly attracted attention for all wrong reasons. Unlike in the past when the drug operators used to be silent and untraceable, the entire State was shocked by the audacity of the ‘Ganja mafia’ in killing a social worker turned whistleblower in full public view.
Mr. K. Penchalaiah, who was associated with the Marxist party’s cultural wing ‘Praja Natya Mandali’, had played a key role in creating public awareness on the ill-effects of consuming drugs and used street plays as a medium to urge the youth to stay away from the menace.
Sudden escalation
Finding in him a ‘potential threat’ to their very existence, the irritated gang had him killed 10 days ago. The police however arrested the accused by firing in the air in self-defence during a midnight encounter.
The issue escalated when the residents revolted against the mafia and demolished six houses belonging to the suspected drug peddler A. Kamakshi. Nellore Rural MLA Kotamreddy Sridhar Reddy, who stood by the Communist leaders when they sought justice for the bereaved family, was alleged to have had a role in extending tacit support to the demolition drive.
Mr. Sridhar Reddy not only called on Penchalaiah’s widow to offer moral support, but also mobilised ₹10 lakh from his party leaders and handed over the cheque towards her children’s educational needs.
People’s movement
Speaking to The Hindu, he said the drug menace would be eliminated from his constituency. “Taking a cue from this incident, I take it as a challenge to make Nellore Rural drug-free,” he vowed.
He recalled that the Police department had started cracking the whip against drug peddlers by opening rowdy sheets and invoking sections of PD Act.
“I am going to launch a people’s movement against anti-social elements and invite like-minded political parties to join hands,” he said.
Published – December 07, 2025 03:14 pm IST
