Pathanamthitta has become the land of goons. Pathanamthitta tops the goonda list with the highest number of goons in Kerala. It is followed by Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam. As per the list, the total number of goons in Pathanamthitta is 461, with an addition of 171 new goons. The locals are wondering looking at the number in an otherwise peaceful district. The police used to have an ignorant attitude when asked how many are there on the goonda list.

According to figures released by the state headquarters of the police yesterday, the goons in the district have been revealed. Most of the goondas are centered around Thiruvalla-61. Pathanamthitta has the second-highest at 54. The district has the highest number of goons but is rather behind in terms of goonda attacks. Police are searching for the whereabouts of the goons in the district. Police suspect that they are working in various parts of the state as part of the 'quotation' deals. Some of the goons in the district are in jail while others walk free. Police believe CPM leader Sandeep Kumar was killed in Thiruvalla by goonda gangs. Goons nurtured by political parties are roaming the district. The goons are running amok on the assurance that the party leaders will protect them if they are caught in the case.

Cannabis and drugs are a source of income

According to the police, the main source of income for the goons in the district is the sale of cannabis and narcotics. Recently, a dispute between cannabis sales groups in the city sparked fears. The two groups clashed following an argument over alcohol in a city bar. They escaped on various bikes when police arrived. A house in Mannaramala was destroyed. The clash in the city was a headache to the cops. The goons stopped the fight by deploying police at the AR camp at night. Police searched the city till dawn but could not find the goons.

The cannabis trade by the goons is around midnight. Although police and excise are well aware of the origins of cannabis trafficking, there are no investigations or arrests. These people are mostly affiliated with some political parties. Although they are in charge of local committees of youth organizations, they do not participate in committees or take charge of any of the parties' events. Recently, allegations were strong that the cannabis and drug mafia were part of the group that beat up CPI activists in the middle of the road during the CPM-CPI clash in Koduman.

Recently, the police seized 103 grams of cannabis hidden under a mattress in a lodge and arrested three. The search also found 30 plastic bags used to wrap cannabis.

Pathanamthitta is a land of spirituality. After the Sabarimala pilgrimage, the Cherukolpuzha Hindu Convention, the Central Travancore Orthodox Convention and the Manjinikkara Perunnal are being held. The famous Marathon Convention will begin the next day. After that Madamon Sreenarayana Convention will be held.

On one side, small groups pf goons are threatening the peace of the place while spiritual programs are being staged that enable the human mind to walk on the path of goodness by illuminating self-knowledge, truths and peace. If the police and the administration do not wake up in a timely manner, they will have to pay a heavy price for providing shade for the criminals to rule the arena.