Speakers at a meeting organized in Vijayawada on Sunday to mark Shaheed Diwas (Martyrs’ Day), celebrated every year on March 23, expressed concern over the rising drug use and the rise of the ganja mafia in the state. They called for immediate measures to bring the culprits to justice and eradicate the menace from the society.
Tributes were paid to freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru, who were executed by the British authorities on March 23, 1931 in Lahore Jail. Speakers urged young people to be inspired by the lives of the three martyrs.
The participants pledged to eradicate social evil and called on various sectors of society to help create a healthy society. The meeting was chaired by Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) State Secretary G. Ramanna and was attended by former President of the Indian Medical Association G. Samaram, AP Bar Association Council Member S. Rajendra Prasad, Pediatrician Sai Prasad and representatives of several other organisations.
They said it was a matter of grave concern that ganja and other drugs were available to young people and called for effective measures to control their sale. They said political will was the key to preventing such social ills and all political parties should expel people involved in drug and ganja related cases.
They also demanded that the government support the families of youth leader Penchalayya of Nellore district, who lost his life while fighting against drugs and ganja mafia.
Published – March 22, 2026 08:13 pm IST
