News Tamil Nadu

Youth Under Ganja Influence Attack Bus Driver & Conductor In Kumbakonam, Ganja Peddlers Attack Police In Chennai, EPS Condemns

April 22, 2024
The Commune

The recent surge of troubling incidents involving youth under the influence of drugs like ganja, which have gained widespread attention on social media, is cause for concern. These incidents include assaults on a driver and members of the public, as well as verbal abuse towards anyone who intervenes. Additionally, there was an incident where a drug dealer, under the influence of ganja, resisted arrest and physically attacked the police officers attempting to apprehend them.

On 20 April 2024, a city bus operated by the government was traveling from Pandanallur to Kumbakonam, passing through the Old Palakkarai Bridge area. The driver, Ramesh, was at the wheel, accompanied by the conductor, Senthil Kumar. Reports suggest that as the bus approached the Palakkarai area, a group of six individuals, allegedly intoxicated and riding a two-wheeler, obstructed the road and collided with the bus. Observing a scuffle among the youths in the roadway, Driver Ramesh halted the bus.

Some of these individuals demanded the passage on the bus, but Ramesh insisted that they first clear the road of their obstructing bike. This refusal evidently angered the intoxicated youths, leading to a violent confrontation wherein they boarded the bus, attacked Ramesh, and forcibly ejected him from the vehicle, causing serious injuries.

During this altercation, two passing journalists captured footage of the assault on the bus driver. Incensed by this, the youths verbally assaulted the journalists. Subsequently, two people sustained injuries. Prompt intervention by the public and stationed police officers led to the apprehension of two individuals involved in the altercation, while the others managed to flee. The arrested individuals, identified as Sudarsan and Janardhanan from the Palakkarai area of Kumbakonam, were taken to the Kumbakonam East Police Station for interrogation.

In response, the assaulted journalists lodged a complaint at the Kumbakonam City East Police Station regarding the attack that hindered their work. In pursuit of justice, the police launched a search operation and apprehended six suspects, including Sudarsan (24), Janardhanan (19), Udayakumar (25), Karthikeyan (21), and two other individuals.

Additionally, the injured government bus driver, Ramesh, currently undergoing treatment, reported the theft of half a gold ring, a gold chain, and a watch during the altercation. Authorities are investigating this matter as well.

On 21 April 2024, in OMR’s Kannagi Nagar, in another instance, a disturbance unfolded involving three individuals, a ganja dealer and two individuals under the influence of the drug. They instigated fear among the locals, prompting Head Constables Pushparaj and Silambarasan from the Kannagi Nagar Police Station to intervene.

Upon arrival, they were confronted by Rahul, identified as a ganja dealer, who aggressively bit Policeman Pushparaj’s hand in an attempt to evade capture. Simultaneously, an intoxicated individual Prem brandished a knife, threatening the officers and purportedly injuring himself to evade arrest and the threatening manner. Adding to the chaos, Santhosh Kumar began hurling stones at the police. Meanwhile, the primary drug supplier, Umapathi, managed to escape the scene.

Fortunately, locals intervened, rescuing the policemen and ensuring their prompt medical attention. A video capturing the attack on the police by individuals under the influence of drugs quickly went viral on social media. Subsequently, the Kannagi Nagar police initiated legal proceedings, resulting in the arrest of Rahul (23), Prem (23), and Santhosh Kumar (23) the following day, all of whom were charged and remanded into custody.

In this context, the AIADMK’s general secretary, Edappadi K. Palaniswami, has released a condemnation statement that, “The news that youths in Kumbakonam attacked a government bus driver under the influence of ganja, and two policemen who went to investigate in Kannagi Nagar area of Chennai, were attacked by two intoxicated assailants are disturbing.

Law and order in Tamil Nadu has completely deteriorated with insecurity for the government employees and the police who are supposed to ensure the safety of the public. Drug trafficking is a major cause of law and order disorder. When I toured across Tamil Nadu for the ongoing parliamentary election campaign, journalists and members of the public expressed their dismay to me that drugs including ganja were readily available as groceries.

Circulation of these drugs among youth and students is very worrying and condemnable. I urge you to take appropriate steps to manage the law and order situation in Tamil Nadu. @CMOTamilnadu @AIADMKOfficial”

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