Suspected of arriving to sell drugs, youths made to kneel, tonsure heads in Perumbavoor

KOCHI: Three youths in Perumbavoor were subjected to mob attack after being accused of drug trafficking. The youths complained that six men stopped them, questioned them, and forcibly shaved their heads. The victims of Manjappetty in Vazhakulam, filed a complaint with the police.

The incident happened around 4.30 pm yesterday near Bhai Colony in Perumbavoor. They were accused of coming to the area to sell drugs. The youths alleged that they were taken to a room, made to kneel, and then a nearby barber was brought in to shave their heads. The Perumbavoor police have registered a case against six identifiable people. No arrests have been reported so far. Meantime, the police are also investigating why the three youths had come to the area.

Perumbavoor, which has gained notoriety as a hub for drug trafficking, has been witnessing intensified anti-drug operations. Additional police personnel have been deployed in the area. Authorities say drug mafias have strengthened their hold by exploiting migrant workers as a cover. Visuals of public drug use had surfaced earlier, prompting stricter action.

Several people have been arrested in connection with drug trafficking, and dangerous narcotics including heroin have been seized from them. Most of those arrested were migrants from other states.

As part of anti-drug initiatives, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala inaugurated Kerala Police’ Toofan Jagran organised in Perumbavoor last week.