NELLORE: Tension prevailed in Nellore on Saturday after police opened fire while arresting the prime accused in the murder of CPM worker and Praja Natya Mandali (PNM) artist K Penchalaiah. A police constable, Adinarayana, sustained serious injuries during the operation.
Rural DSP Ghattamaneni Srinivasa Rao said the accused, James, attempted to attack Nellore Rural Circle Inspector Venu and Vedayapalem Circle Inspector Srinivasa Rao with a knife when police teams surrounded him. He said the officers fired at James’s legs in self-defence to prevent further harm. James, who had been evading arrest for several days, was apprehended after being shot in the knees and shifted to hospital under tight security. The injured constable is also undergoing treatment.
Police launched a combing operation early in the morning after receiving credible information on the accused’s movements. DSP Srinivasa Rao said the suspect resisted arrest and charged at the officers, forcing them to open fire. He added that patrolling and combing operations have been intensified to trace other gang members. He warned that strict action would be taken against anyone aiding or sheltering the accused.
The murder of Penchalaiah, a CPM worker and prominent PNM artist, on Friday evening triggered widespread shock. Penchalaiah (37), an electrician and secretary of Praja Natya Mandali for Nellore Rural, had actively campaigned against the growing ganja network in the city. He had been conducting street plays, art programmes and awareness activities, many of them in coordination with police, urging youth to avoid drugs. He had also put up posters and flex banners with the message ‘Say No to Ganja.’
Police suspect the local ganja mafia targeted him for his activism. According to eyewitnesses, the masked gang intercepted him near Narayana College in the Housing Board Colony area while he was returning home with his children after picking them up from tuition. When his vehicle fell, he tried to run while holding the children, but the attackers chased him and stabbed him multiple times on the face and body. Locals who attempted to intervene were threatened. Penchalaiah died on the spot.
DSP Srinivasa Rao visited the scene, conducted a preliminary inspection and shifted the body to GGH for postmortem. Police have recovered the weapons used in the murder and are investigating the role of the local drug gang.
The killing occurred a day before Penchalaiah’s troupe was scheduled to perform the ‘Yogi Vemana’ drama in Vijayawada on November 30 (Sunday).
CPM State secretary V Srinivasa Rao visited the bereaved family.
Ganja mafia suspected behind CPM worker’s murder
Police suspect the local ganja mafia targeted victim Penchalaiah, a CPM worker, for his activism. Eyewitnesses said masked gang members intercepted him near Narayana College in the Housing Board Colony area while he was returning home with his children. When his vehicle fell, he tried to run, but the attackers chased and stabbed him to death.