Anti-drug activist Parvinder Jhota shot dead in Mansa, medical store owner accused, suspect absconding
Mansa (Punjab). Social activist Parvinder Singh, alias Jhota, who campaigned against drugs, was shot dead at a medical store in Mansa, Punjab, on Tuesday morning. According to the police, the medical store owner fired the shot. A video of the incident has surfaced. The accused has been identified as Ashwini Kumar […]
What happened
Police stated that Jhota was questioning the medical store owner regarding the sale of certain medicines to an individual. According to reports, the shop is located near the city's railway crossing. During the argument, he was also recording with his mobile phone. One report stated that he was live on social media at the time.
According to the police, Jhota can be heard in the video saying that the owner has pulled out a pistol. Following this, the accused allegedly fired at him. Mansa SSP Vaibhav Chaudhary said that Jhota was shot at point-blank range at the accused's shop. He was taken to the hospital, where he died.
The SSP stated that the accused is a local owner of the pharmacy, he has been identified, and police teams have been deployed to arrest him soon. The police have not yet clarified the type of weapon used or the exact reason for the shooting. Police sources have expressed apprehension that the incident occurred while Jhota had reached the shop to ask questions. According to one report, four people in nearby shops were hit by pellets in the firing and are undergoing treatment at the Civil Hospital. This remains to be confirmed by the police.
Who was Jhota
Jhota was known for exposing the alleged sale of intoxicating and banned drugs at medical stores in Mansa. He often visited shops and made videos. According to reports, he also had a dispute with a medicine shop owner in Mansa in 2023. One report claimed that this shopkeeper was the same owner. The police have not confirmed this.
Tension outside hospital, Mansa bandh announced
Upon receiving news of the incident, Jhota's parents and people from several social organizations reached the Civil Hospital. They raised slogans against the government and demanded strict action against the accused. Reports stated that there was a prolonged argument between the SSP and supporters at the hospital. Jhota's supporters have announced a city bandh. There is tension in the area.
Chief Minister's meeting, opposition's attack
According to reports, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has called a high-level meeting on this matter, which will be attended by the SSPs and DCs of all districts.
Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal expressed deep grief over the murder and termed it evidence of the collapse of law and order in the state. He called the government's anti-drug campaign, "Yuddh Nashiyan Viruddh," a failure. Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia questioned the Chief Minister, asking if every person who raises their voice will be killed. BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu described the murder as a result of the deteriorating law and order in the state. Congress leader Charanjit Singh Channi accused the Aam Aadmi Party government of promoting gangsters and drug dealers. These are all allegations and political statements from the opposition. No response from the government or the Aam Aadmi Party had been received by the time this report was written.
What next
Now, the arrest of the accused and information regarding the sections of the FIR and the motive for the murder in the official police statement are awaited. The police are investigating the video and other evidence.
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