Police intensifies hunt for accomplices of injured ganja peddler

Krishna district Superintendent of Police V. Vidyasagar Naidu along with other officers visiting the spot where ganja peddler, A. Avinad, attacked the police, which led to the firing in Krishna district. | Photo Credit: BY ARRANGEMENT :The Krishna district police have intensified their search for the accomplices of ganja peddler, Akkidasari Avinad, was injured in police firing in Kankipadu mandal in the early hours of Tuesday.Avinad, a native of Penamaluru village in Krishna district, was allegedly part of a three-member gang that attacked the police twice— at Yernagudem village in East Godavari district and Manikonda village in Krishna district, injuring two constables.“The condition of the Armed Reserve police constable, V. Venkateswara Rao, continued to be critical,” said Gudivada Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) P. Srinivas.“We have launched a search for the absconding two ganja peddlers. The East Godavari and the Krishna district police have intensified combing operations to nab the accused,” the DSP told The Hindu on Wednesday. The two absconding gang members are also natives of Krishna district.Mr. Srinivas said: “Avinad had not been involved in any criminal case earlier, and neither was he on the police radar.”“We are verifying the suppliers and customers of the gang, how long they had been involved in the illegal trade, from where the accused procured and transported the contraband, if there were any others assisting the gang and other details,” a police officer said.During investigations, police seized Avinad’s mobile phone and verified his contacts.First incidentIt may be recalled that on August 31, 2026, the East Godavari district police during routine vehicle checks intercepted the three-member gang, while they were allegedly transporting ganja on two bikes near Yernagudem, under Devarapalli police station limits. The accused, Avinad, allegedly stabbed highway police constable V. Venkateswara Rao, and all the three managed to escape.Acting on a tip-off, that Avinad was moving through Kankipadu mandal, police cordoned the area and attempted to nab him in the early hours of September 1, 2026 (Tuesday). He allegedly again attacked another constable, D. Srinivas, and pelted stones at a police vehicle.Kankipadu Circle Inspector, B.B. Ravi Kumar then opened fire, injuring Avinad and took him into custody. Avinad is presently undergoing treatment at the Government General Hospital (GGH), Vijayawada. Published - September 02, 2026 08:23 pm IST