MHA to seek responses from Punjab govt. on recent narcotics-related deaths

The Home Ministry will seek responses from the Punjab government on recent narcotics-related deaths in Punjab, said Union Home Minister Amit Shah in a statement on Friday (October 16, 2026).

In a recent incident in Punjab’s Mansa district, Parvinder Singh Jhota, an anti-drug crusader, was shot dead on Tuesday (October 13, 2026) at a local medical store, sparking immediate outrage in the State, which has been battling drug abuse for decades.

Singh, a former boxer had been for past few years running a campaign against drug abuse in Mansa and neighbouring areas through ‘Nasha Roko, Rozgaar Do campaign.’ After the incident, scores of people staged a protest outside the Mansa civil hospital, as shops were also closed in the town.

In another tragic incident in September, 47-year-old Gulzar Singh from Toor Banjara village in Punjab’s Sangrur district ended his life. It’s alleged that he took the extreme step after he was pressured by local Aam Aadmi Party supporters to apologise for questioning Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema over the drug menace in his village during an event at Dirba that was held on September 6.

Mr. Shah said in a social media post, “In Punjab, the drug trade is growing day by day, the threat of organised crime is increasing, and questions are being raised about the protection of those who speak out against drugs.”

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