Punjab Anti-Drug Activist Shot Dead

Incident and Investigation

Parvinder Singh Jhota, a prominent anti-drug activist, was shot dead on Tuesday at a local medical store in Punjab’s Mansa district. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and criticism of the state government. According to the police, Jhota was shot at a chemist shop in Mansa town and rushed to the local civil hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.

The assailants fled the spot, and several police teams have been formed to trace and arrest them. A purported video showed Jhota in confrontation with a person at the medical store over the alleged sale of illicit drugs. Parts of the shooting were recorded in the video as the accused could be seen brandishing a weapon and firing.

Police Response

Bathinda Range DIG Harjeet Singh said, 'The police received information about the incident around 10.30 a.m. in which anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota was killed. The accused identified as Ashwani appeared to have used a licensed weapon in the killing after which he fled. The associate of the main accused has been arrested. Efforts are underway to apprehend the main accused soon.'

The DIG said the incident could stem from an old personal enmity between the two, which had also surfaced in an incident in 2023. Mansa’s Senior Superintendent of Police, Vaibhav Choudhary, said, 'The case is being investigated thoroughly and that the accused involved in the incident will be arrested within 24 hours.'

Protests and Reactions

After the incident, scores of people staged a protest outside Mansa civil hospital, and shops were also closed in the town. The medical store of the accused was vandalised by protesters. Jhota’s family refused to cremate the body, blaming the state government for its failure to curb substance abuse.

The opposition tore into the AAP government, with BJP’s national president Nitin Nabin saying, 'The brazen daylight murder of Mr. Singh, who raised his voice against drugs in Mansa, exposes the extremely poor state of law and order in Punjab under the AAP government.'

• Senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and former MP, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, demanded Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s resignation.
• Leader of the Opposition in Punjab Assembly, Congress’s Partap Singh Bajwa, said Parminder’s murder has exposed the grim reality behind the AAP government’s much-publicised ‘Yudh Nasheyan Virudh’ campaign.
• AAP Punjab Media In-charge and State General Secretary (Organisation) Baltej Pannu said, 'The preliminary police findings pointing towards personal enmity behind Parminder Jhota’s murder must be investigated thoroughly.'

Background and Campaign

Jhota, a former boxer, had been running a campaign against drug abuse in Mansa and neighbouring areas through ‘Nasha Roko, Rozgaar Do campaign.’ The campaign aimed to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and to provide employment opportunities to those affected by it.

The incident has highlighted the issue of law and order in Punjab, with many questioning the state government’s ability to curb substance abuse and protect those who speak out against it. Parvinder Singh Jhota was a prominent figure in the anti-drug movement in Punjab, and his killing has sent shockwaves throughout the state.

Expert Perspective

Experts believe that the killing of Parvinder Singh Jhota is a wake-up call for the state government to take concrete steps to address the issue of drug abuse and law and order in Punjab. They say that the government needs to take a multi-faceted approach to tackle the problem, including increasing awareness, providing employment opportunities, and ensuring strict law enforcement.

Implications for Readers in India

The killing of Parvinder Singh Jhota has significant implications for readers in India, particularly in Punjab. It highlights the need for citizens to be aware of the dangers of drug abuse and to take an active role in preventing it. It also underscores the importance of a strong and effective law and order system in ensuring the safety and security of citizens.

What to Watch Next

As the investigation into the killing of Parvinder Singh Jhota continues, readers can expect to see further developments in the case. The state government is likely to face increased pressure to take action against drug abuse and to improve law and order in Punjab. Citizens can also expect to see increased awareness campaigns and initiatives to prevent drug abuse and promote employment opportunities.

• The state government’s response to the killing and its efforts to address the issue of drug abuse and law and order in Punjab.
• The outcome of the investigation into the killing and the arrest of the accused.
• The impact of the killing on the anti-drug movement in Punjab and the state government’s efforts to prevent drug abuse.

Timeline of Events

The incident occurred on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at around 10:30 a.m. The police received information about the incident and immediately formed teams to trace and arrest the accused. The investigation is ongoing, and the state government is facing pressure to take action against drug abuse and improve law and order in Punjab.

Background of Parvinder Singh Jhota

Parvinder Singh Jhota was a former boxer who had been running a campaign against drug abuse in Mansa and neighbouring areas. He was a prominent figure in the anti-drug movement in Punjab and had been working to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and provide employment opportunities to those affected by it.