PALODE: A tribal youth was brutally beaten up and left on the road in Kalankavu. Nanniyode native Arun (29) was injured in the incident. The villagers said that the local drug mafia was behind the attack.

A phone message received by the Palode police around 2.30 am on Saturday informed that a person had met with an accident and was lying on the road. The police reached the spot and took the man to the medical college hospital in an ambulance. When he regained consciousness, he told police that that it was not an accident but that he had been called out of the house and brutally beaten. Two months ago, a small dispute over Arun stopping the sale of drugs resulted in the attack. The police clarified that the attackers thought Arun to be dead and dumped body in the forest area. Relatives said that Arun, who is undergoing treatment in the medical college hospital, is still in critical condition. The police informed that the investigation has started.

The drug mafia hangs out at Payatadi, Temple - Valiya Venkatkukonam Road and nearby areas. Two days ago, there was a clash between those who sold drug sellers and users at Kallana, Ottupalam. The locals demand the police to intervene immediately.