3 youths assaulted, heads shaved by mob over Ganja allegation in Kerala

Perumbavoor, Kerala: Three youths were allegedly assaulted, publicly humiliated and forcibly had their heads shaved by a mob after being accused of selling ganja in Perumbavoor on Wednesday, police said after the victims lodged a complaint.

The incident occurred around 4 pm in Kandanthara, Perumbavoor. The complainants have been identified as Gokul (18) of Manjappetty, Alby (20) of Kandanthara and Alfas (20) of Manjappetty.

According to the complaint, the three had gone to a soda factory after being called by the factory supervisor for a job opportunity. They were asked to report as workers from other states had returned to their hometowns, leaving vacancies at the factory.

The youths alleged that as soon as they reached the factory, a group of men stopped them, removed the key from their motorcycle and accused them of being ganja dealers. Despite repeatedly denying the allegation, they were allegedly beaten.

They claimed that when they asked to contact the police and their relatives, their mobile phones were taken away. The factory owner was reportedly not present at the time of the incident.

According to the complaint, the attackers forced the youths to kneel on the roadside before shaving their heads. They further alleged that they were taken into a room inside the factory, stripped of their clothes and assaulted again, while the migrant worker serving as the factory supervisor was kept away from them.

The victims said they were later driven away from the spot.

The three subsequently reached Perumbavoor and, accompanied by their relatives, approached the local police station to file a complaint.

They also told police that CCTV cameras in the area had captured visuals of the assault. Police have registered the complaint and are investigating the incident.