Anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh, alias Jhota, known for raising his voice against drug abuse and the illegal sale of addictive substances at chemist shops, was shot dead in broad daylight in a busy market in Punjab's Mansa district on Tuesday.
Police have launched a manhunt for Ashwani Kumar, the medical store owner who opened fire on the activist and his companions, allegedly enraged after they questioned him for selling addictive drugs to an elderly man.
After the shooting, Mansa town simmered with tension as the activist's supporters vandalised the medical shop, and Jhota's family refused to cremate his body in protest.
The activist's supporters also held a protest at Tikoni Chowk in Mansa. A heavy police force was deployed outside the Civil Hospital, where his body was kept.
The murder drew widespread condemnation from political leaders, who criticised the ruling AAP government, alleging a law and order breakdown.
As it happens, Ashwani Kumar was garlanded with shoes and paraded in the market by Jhota and his supporters in 2023, after a man was caught with banned capsules allegedly procured from his shop.
Back then, an FIR was registered against Ashwani Kumar, while Jhota was booked for assault and trespassing.
Special Director General of Police (law and order) Praveen Sinha visited Mansa and said efforts were underway to nab the shooter.
He appealed to the protesters to maintain peace. "Give space to police so it can utilise its energy on investigation and catch the culprit," he said.
Replying to a question, Sinha said, "Questioning of the accused's family is going on."
Our teams have gone to different places, including Haryana and Delhi, to nab him, he said.
Speaking to reporters, the activist's father slammed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, alleging that drugs are sold openly in the state and his son was killed fighting the menace.
"He was killed by drug traffickers. We demand that the Indian government dismiss the Punjab government. Drugs are openly sold here. My son Parvinder Singh Jhota was killed by drug traffickers," the father told reporters.
The family will not cremate the body, he said, as he urged the public to assemble for a dharna in Mansa.
"I am sad that my son has been killed. He had saved thousands of lives," the father said.
The incident took place on Tuesday morning, when Jhota and some others arrived at Ashwani Kumar's medical store and questioned him for selling addictive drugs to an elderly man. As the argument took place, the activist recorded it on his phone camera.
In the 5-minute-49-second video that surfaced online, he could be heard saying that the medical store owner had taken out a pistol.
"Maar, maar, tun saade fire maar (Open fire at us)," he tells the store owner.
Jhota tells Ashwani Kumar that the elderly man had bought certain drugs from his shop. When the shopkeeper asks the elderly man about the claim, the activist says he has a video recording of it.
As the argument goes on, Jhota asks the store owner, "What is the need to take out a pistol? Did we say anything to you? This man has bought it (drugs) from you."
He says further, "We will call the drug inspector, Ashwani (store owner). Are we saying anything to you? You keep the pistol down. Are we beating you up? He is holding a pistol and selling drugs!"
The medical shop owner then opens fire, which was recorded in the video.
As the shot rings out, Jhota and his companions run out of the shop.
In another video made by a passerby, Ashwani Kumar is seen rushing out of his shop with a gun and going after Jhota, who runs for cover.
The video shows many people scrambling to save their lives upon spotting the shopkeeper with the pistol. The man opens fire again.
As people in the market watch in horror, a man throws a box at Ashwani Kumar, which hits his head. Unfazed, the shopkeeper returns to his store. Later, the video shows Jhota lying in a nearby shop, soaked in blood.
He was rushed to the Civil Hospital in Mansa, where he was declared brought dead.
The activist sustained three bullet injuries, two in his abdomen and one in his thigh. Four of his companions also received gunshot wounds.
Punjab BJP general secretary Anil Sareen said district-level protests across Punjab will be held on Wednesday to seek the resignation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Harjit Singh said police received information about the incident at around 10.30 am.
The chemist shop owner used his licensed weapon for the crime, he said, adding that a case has been registered and police teams have been formed to nab him.
In the meantime, an associate who helped the store owner escape was arrested.
The DIG said that during preliminary investigation, it came to light that the murder took place due to a "personal enmity" that developed between the victim and the accused over the 2023 incident.
Political leaders across Punjab decried the murder that took place against the backdrop of the drug menace being a key issue for the poll-bound state.
AAP leader Baltej Pannu promised to take strict action against the shooter.
"The murder that took place in Mansa is highly condemnable. Information is coming in that it was committed by a person running a chemist shop. No one is permitted to take the law into their own hands. Strict action will be taken against the guilty," said Pannu.
Opposition parties slammed the Bhagwant Mann government.
In a post on X, BJP national president Nitin Nabin said the shocking killing exposed "the alarming state of law and order" in Punjab.
"The Aam Aadmi Party came to power promising a drug-free Punjab. Today, those who stand up against drugs are themselves at risk. This is a serious failure of governance," Nabin said.
"If those fighting the drug mafia are not safe, who is safe in Punjab? The people of Punjab deserve answers and accountability," he added.
Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia asked Mann if anyone who dares to speak out will be killed.
"People of Punjab, unite and demand answers and the resignation of this government!" Majithia said on X.