Sagar (name changed), a 21-year-old from G. Madugula, completed his studies last year with high hopes for a better future. While preparing for the competitive exams and helping his parents, he regularly attended workshops organized by the Andhra Pradesh Skill Development Center in collaboration with the police department.
Although he focused on academics, he enjoyed spending time with friends, one of whom was Charan (name changed). Everyone in the village knew that Charan had once been involved in a ganja case, but no one fully understood the gravity or long-term consequences of such an offence. Sagar also never thought much about it and valued his friendship over the rumors surrounding Charan.
However, as time passed, Charan started taking Sagar to various places, spending money lavishly and gradually introducing him to certain customs. Sagar found himself enjoying the comfort and lifestyle that Charan offered – a lifestyle that he and his family could not afford.
A few weeks ago, Charan asked Sagar to accompany him and deliver a package assigned by his boss. Without asking much, Sagar simply followed him. On their way back, the duo were apprehended by a police team. When the police searched their bags, they found hash oil — a liquid form of ganja — and both were immediately arrested. Sagar tried to explain that he knew nothing about smuggling, but when he was caught with the contraband, he had no chance of escaping arrest or a case under the stringent Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
The news was devastating for Sagara’s parents. They placed immense hope and trust in their son. “He attaches great importance to studies and we were confident that he would make something out of his life. Whenever he came out, when we asked where he was going, he never gave clear answers. The bad society ruined my child’s future,” says his father Raja Rao.
The case is currently under investigation and his family fears that the NDPS case registered against him may become a major setback in his career.
About 30 km from G. Madugula, the life of 27-year-old Ramesh from the Chintapalli region took a turn for the worse earlier this year. After finishing high school, he worked odd jobs and was unable to properly support his family. One day he was offered a job as a “pilot” to help transport ganja from one place to another, a distance of almost 20 km in the agency. He was promised Rs 10,000 for the work.
“In his confession, Ramesh said he had traveled the area many times. As he was in debt and needed money for his family, he agreed. But he never imagined he would be caught. He regrets taking part in this activity,” says the police officer who arrested him on condition of anonymity.
Across the Agency region, several youths – some knowingly, some unknowingly – indulged in ganja smuggling for the money it offered, unaware of the harsh punishment under the NDPS Act. Once arrested, they face lengthy jail terms and although bail is possible after a few months, repeated court visits and the stigma of the NDPS case severely damage their career prospects and take a toll on their mental health.
“Ganja mafia groups, mostly outsiders, lure the local youth with money and expensive items. In several cases, the indigenous youth admitted to agreeing to participate in the activity in return for a mobile phone or cash ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹25,000, depending on the quantity and distance they were to transport or help as a ‘pilot’.”
“Many have tragically admitted that they just wanted to help their parents, buy medicine, manage household expenses or pay off debts. We also regret these reasons. Despite our frequent awareness campaigns, they assume they can escape if they spot the police. But thanks to the vast technological networks of backward and forward tracking, they will eventually be caught,” explained a senior police officer, who sought to remain anonymous.
According to legal experts, once the accused are arrested under NDPS cases, they are remanded in judicial custody and it is extremely difficult to get bail for up to six months. “There is no way for a court to grant bail within 180 days. The conditions are strict, the judge has to believe that the accused has not committed the crime and also believe that he will not commit such a crime in the future,” says senior advocate and president of Legal Professionals Forum Kuppili Muralidhar.
Chances of getting bail are very limited if the amount of ganja is less than 20kg, but most of the cases registered in the region involve larger quantities, he notes, adding that conviction under the NDPS Act can lead to 10 years in prison and in serious cases up to life imprisonment.
A senior police officer with experience in handling NDPS cases says that though the court allows 180 days for investigation and filing of charges, it is extremely difficult to complete an NDPS investigation within this period. “So we are filing a request for another 180 days, citing extensive connections. The court usually grants an extension,” he says on condition of anonymity.
Deputy Superintendent of Police, Visakhapatnam Central Jail, Ch Surya Kumar says there are 1,717 inmates in the jail, of which 1,026 are NDPS inmates – manufacturers, suppliers or consumers. Around 400 of these prisoners are from tribal areas of ASR district or parts of Odisha, he notes.
“Some individuals who are close to their families and have chosen this activity because of financial constraints suffer intense anxiety and deep regret. But there are others who feel they have made no fundamental mistake.”Madhavi A psychologist working with the prison department
Madhavi, a psychologist working with the prison department, says youths involved in such crimes often experience a mixture of anxiety, remorse and denial. “Some individuals who are close to their families and have chosen this activity due to financial constraints suffer from intense anxiety and deep regret. But there are others who feel that they have made no fundamental mistake,” he explains.
As an example, he adds: “One prisoner was only 20 years old and his wife was five months pregnant. He regretted his decision immensely, but even his own relatives did not come forward to help him secure bail.” On the other hand, he says, youth who lack proper parental supervision and are attracted to easy money and a lavish lifestyle often justify their actions by claiming they have done nothing seriously wrong. “They ask why they should work for a whole month to earn ₹20,000 when they believe they can earn ₹10,000 an hour.”
“Within the first week of incarceration, many young inmates develop thoughts of ending their lives – not because they’ve been caught smuggling, but because they can’t cope with the prison environment,” he points out. Madhavi stresses the importance of parental guidance to keep the youth out of the clutches of crime. “There needs to be proper monitoring right from childhood – understanding what activities they engage in, how much time they spend outside and how they use the money given to them. Early guidance can prevent them from falling into such traps,” he points out.
What the tribal leaders say
Tribal leaders from the ASR district accuse the government of neglecting the local youth and not addressing long-standing problems, which they say has contributed to the rise in such incidents. “Poverty and lack of job opportunities are the main reasons that push the tribal youth to these activities. The ganja mafia, mostly composed of people from outside the state, targets the youth luring them with money and promises of a luxurious lifestyle,” says Killo Surendra, a member of the Andhra Pradesh Girijana Sangham.
“Government has consistently failed to address the concerns associated with GO No. 3, which is supposed to provide local jobs for local people. Its effective implementation would address unemployment,” he claims. The government’s plan to offer farmers alternative crops to ganja is also not being implemented properly. Seeds and seedlings of alternative crops do not reach farmers in inland villages; supply is done only at mandal headquarters, he claims.
“Government has consistently failed to address the concerns associated with GO No. 3, which is to provide local jobs for local people. Its effective implementation would address unemployment.” KILOTRA of surdendra Member of Andhra Pradesh Girijana Sangham
According to the police, there are currently no ganja plantations in ASR district, fields have been destroyed even in remote villages. Police say the seized ganja is from certain areas of Odisha.
The ASR area is said to be mainly used as a transit route before the contraband moves to Visakhapatnam and then to other states. Officials also point out that in recent years the police have relied heavily on a number of community welfare programs and development initiatives designed to prevent tribal youth from turning to Maoism or ganja smuggling, while discouraging farmers from growing ganja.
These programs are aimed at building confidence, strengthening self-confidence and expanding employment opportunities. Initiatives like ‘Saral’ and ‘Prerana’ for career guidance and employment and ‘Nirman’ for personal and professional development are implemented with a special focus on the youth.
District Superintendent of Police ASR Amit Bardar recently explained that as part of ‘Prerana’, employment melas were conducted at Arak, Paderu, Chintapalli, Rampachodavaram and other places where a large number of youths had secured jobs. Several skill development programs are organized in association with AP State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC).
Under the ‘Nirman’ initiative, police officials are exposing tribal students to new opportunities for personal and professional growth. Study tours to industrial units, IT firms and tourist centers in metropolitan cities are organized for young tribal graduates to give them direct contact with the professional environment and emerging career opportunities. He also noted the remarkable talent among the tribal youth in volleyball, which the police encouraged through tournaments organized in various mandals.
What does the Minister of the Interior say?
During an inspection of the Visakhapatnam Central Jail, Home Minister V. Anitha said she was moved by the plight of tribals who were being used as “scapegoats” in several ganja-related cases. She said the matter would be up for discussion.
