The killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Punjab’s Mansa has intensified pressure on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, with opposition parties questioning the state’s law and order situation and its response to the drug menace.
Jhota was allegedly shot dead by a medical store owner during a confrontation over the sale of prohibited drugs, with the incident captured on camera.
The murder triggered widespread anger in Mansa, where shops in the main bazaar remained shut in protest. Hundreds of residents and supporters gathered at Tikkni Chowk, demanding justice and action against those responsible.
The incident has also renewed political scrutiny of the state government’s anti-drug campaign, with opposition leaders alleging that people raising their voices against drug trafficking are not being adequately protected.
Jhota, around 45, had been campaigning against drug abuse in the region and had repeatedly raised allegations of chemists selling prohibited tablets and narcotic substances.
According to the account of the incident, he had confronted medical store owner Ashwani Kumar over an alleged drug sale before the argument escalated into shooting.
Jhota was taken to hospital, where he was declared dead, while one of his companions sustained serious injuries.
His father, Bhim Singh, alleged that drug peddlers were responsible for his son’s death and accused the government and a local MLA of backing them. He appealed to Punjabis to gather and demand justice for his son.
Police said teams had been formed to apprehend Ashwani Kumar, who was absconding when the report was filed.
Deputy Inspector General Harjit Singh said one associate of the suspect had been arrested. He added that Jhota had been active as an anti-drug activist for several years and that a dispute between him and the chemist had also occurred in 2023.
The investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting and examine the allegations made by the victim’s family.
OPPOSITION TARGETS AAP GOVT
Punjab Congress chief Pargat Singh criticised the police response, saying, "Punjab police is inept in handling the issue – the culprits in Mansa ran in front of them – and nothing was done". He said Congress leaders would visit Jhota’s residence on Wednesday morning.
Punjab BJP chief Kewal Dhillon described the killing as heartbreaking and questioned the credibility of the police investigation after Jhota’s father named a local MLA. He said he had written to the Governor seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe.
Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Majithia also attacked the state government, saying the daylight killing of an anti-drug activist reflected the situation under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
Former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi alleged that drug peddlers and gangsters were joining AAP and accused the government of failing to maintain law and order.
The ruling party said action would be taken against those involved. Punjab Cabinet Minister and AAP state chief Aman Arora termed the incident unfortunate and said, "The police will take appropriate action and anyone involved in this incident will not be spared".
SERIES OF INCIDENTS INTENSIFIES SCRUTINY
Jhota’s murder comes amid a series of violent incidents and allegations that have intensified the political debate over security in Punjab.
Recently, Gulzar Singh allegedly died by suicide in Sangrur after raising the drug issue before Cabinet Minister Harpal Cheema. In a video, he reportedly claimed he had faced pressure for speaking about the matter.
Punjab Police Assistant Sub-Inspector Iqbal Singh was shot dead in Tarn Taran two days before Jhota’s killing, while an AAP sarpanch was shot dead in Tut village in the same district last week.
ASI Harjit Singh was killed in Amritsar in September, and ASI Joga Singh was also shot dead near Majitha while travelling to work.
With opposition parties linking these incidents to wider concerns over public safety and drug trafficking, the Mansa murder has become another flashpoint for the Mann government.
The immediate focus remains on the arrest of the main accused, a thorough investigation into the killing and the allegations of political protection. The police response and the government’s handling of the case are likely to remain under close scrutiny as demands for accountability grow.
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