Denied sleeping pills, med shop vandalized

T'puram: A group of four unidentified assailants vandalized a medical shop in Neyyattinkara after the shopkeeper refused to sell them sleeping pills without a doctor's prescription.
The incident, which took place at the Apollo Pharmacy near General Hospital Junction at 2am on Monday, sparked concerns over drug-related crimes in the area. Neyyattinkara police launched a manhunt to track down the culprits, with initial suspicions pointing towards the involvement of drug peddlers.
According to police, the assailants arrived at the pharmacy late at night and demanded sleeping pills. When the shopkeeper insisted on a valid prescription, the group got into a heated argument before leaving the premises. However, they soon returned armed with stones and concrete blocks. In a sudden act of violence, they shattered the glass door of the pharmacy and damaged a motorcycle parked outside. The pharmacy, which operates 24/7 due to its proximity to the General Hospital, had its CCTV cameras capture the entire incident.
Police, who collected the CCTV visuals, believe the attackers were not locals. Authorities are currently verifying the visuals to establish their identities and possible links to drug networks. A case has been registered. Officials have assured that the culprits will be brought to justice, as efforts continue to curb drug-related offences in the city.