ANTI-DRUG ACTIVIST SHOT DEAD IN MANSA , SUPPORTERS CALL STATE-WIDE BANDH ON OCTOBER 15

Naresh Kumar/Mansa

An anti-drug activist, Parvinder Singh Jhota, was allegedly shot dead by a medical store owner in Mansa on Tuesday morning following a confrontation over alleged sale of intoxicating substances under the guise of medicines, police said.

The incident was reportedly captured during a Facebook Live session conducted by Jhota, who had reached the medical store along with his associates to confront the shopkeeper, identified as Ashwini.

According to the account provided by the activist and his supporters, Jhota accused the shopkeeper of selling intoxicating substances to a local elderly man. He asked the shopkeeper to show CCTV footage and challenged him to explain why he had allegedly taken out a pistol.

The two reportedly engaged in a heated argument as a crowd gathered at the spot. After nearly four minutes of confrontation, the shopkeeper allegedly opened fire, hitting Jhota multiple times. Four of his associates were also reportedly injured in the firing.

The Facebook Live recording showed Jhota confronting the shopkeeper and asking him to explain the alleged sale of intoxicating substances. The recording ended after Jhota fell to the ground following the gunfire.

The shop owner was allegedly seen following the injured activist with a pistol as his associates attempted to take him away. He later reportedly shut the shop and fled the scene.
According to the account provided by Jhota’s supporters, the activist had contacted the police before the incident and requested their presence at the spot. However, the police had not reached the location when the firing took place, they alleged.

The incident triggered outrage among Jhota’s family members and supporters, who gathered outside the civil hospital in Mansa. They announced a shutdown in the town and refused to allow his last rites until their demands were met.
Angry supporters also vandalised the accused’s medical store. They called for a Punjab-wide bandh on October 15 and demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Director General of Police (DGP). They also sought a CBI probe into the killing and alleged links between drug traffickers and elements within the police force.

The protesters said their sit-in would continue until their demands were fulfilled.

Jhota’s father, Bhim Sen, asserted that neither his son nor he could be intimidated or influenced by money.
He said people knew that his son would not bow before powerful interests, adding that attempts to frighten the family or silence it through financial inducements would not succeed.

Previous rivalry angle

Police said Jhota had allegedly humiliated the same shopkeeper in 2023 by making him wear a garland of shoes and parading him over allegations of selling drugs. The incident had reportedly led to enmity between the two.
Mansa Senior Superintendent of Police Vaibhav Chaudhary said efforts were underway to arrest the accused. Police had arrested an associate of the accused and detained family members for questioning, he said.