Authorities have demolished the residence of Ashwani Kumar and locals burnt his shop
MANSA: Bulldozers rolled in and demolished the house of the main accused in the killing of anti-drug activist Parwinder Singh Jhota in Punjab’s Mansa on Wednesday. His shop was also set on fire by the locals.The move came after Ashwani Kumar, a medical store owner accused of shooting Jhota dead, was arrested in Salasar, Rajasthan. Kumar had fled after the shooting on Tuesday morning, prompting police teams to launch a search for him.His cousin Vipin had been arrested earlier.Jhota was shot dead on Tuesday following an altercation with Kumar over the sale of banned medicines, according to reports.
Locals set the accused's shop on fire
Mansa SSP Vaibhav Choudhary said police personnel were deployed to maintain law and order as the administration carried out the action.
He said the police had received prior intimation about the demolition and that the action was linked to alleged illegal construction.“We are here to maintain law and order. Action is being taken by the administration here. So, we had received an intimation regarding the same. So, we have come here with the force to maintain law and order. There was input regarding illegal construction and action is being taken in connection with that,” Choudhary said.
The killing had triggered protests in Mansa, with protesters announcing that they would not perform Jhota’s last rites until justice was delivered and the main accused were arrested.
Protesters had also called for a Punjab bandh on October 15 to protest the killing.