Tensions exploded into violence in Andhra Pradesh's Nellore district this week following the brutal murder of a local Communist Party of India (Marxist) activist. The killing, allegedly by a gang of ganja peddlers, triggered massive public outrage, leading to arson and the demolition of multiple houses linked to the prime accused.
Murder Sparks Public Fury
The chain of events began with the killing of K Penchalaiah, a CPM activist known for his strong stance against drug abuse. Penchalaiah was reportedly murdered by members of a ganja smuggling ring he had been campaigning against. His death, seen as a direct attack by the very drug mafia he opposed, sent shockwaves through the community in Tirupati and surrounding areas.
Penchalaiah was respected for his work in guiding local youth away from illegal activities and substance abuse. His violent end became the flashpoint for long-simmering public anger over the rampant drug trade in the district.
Night of Rage: Demolition and Arson
On Monday night, an enraged mob took matters into their own hands. The protestors, comprising local residents and backed by cadres from the CPM as well as followers of Nellore rural TDP legislator Kotamreddy Sridhar Reddy, targeted properties linked to the alleged ganja kingpin, Kamakshi, and her associates.
The mob brought in an earth mover and demolished at least six locked houses belonging to Kamakshi and her close aides at the Housing Board RDT Colony. Following the demolition, several of these houses were vandalised and set ablaze. The intensity of the protest sent a clear message: the community vowed that Kamakshi and her family would never be allowed to return to the colony.
Police Action and Peaceful Bandh
Police had earlier arrested Kamakshi and members of her gang in connection with Penchalaiah's murder. During inspections on Tuesday morning, law enforcement officials recovered knives and other deadly weapons from Kamakshi's house and the demolished structures.
Meanwhile, a bandh (shutdown) called by the CPM and its affiliated unions, which had the support of legislator Kotamreddy Sridhar Reddy, passed off peacefully in Nellore city. Activists from the communist party and TDP followers staged protests at the Gandhi Bomma Centre. They burnt effigies and demanded a zero-tolerance policy against ganja smuggling, which they identified as a root cause of the rising crime graph in the district.
The protestors emphasized that the drug trade had become rampant and called for stringent action from the authorities to prevent such tragedies in the future. The incident has highlighted the deep-seated public frustration with illegal drug networks and their violent consequences.
