Mansa: Supporters of slain anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhotta on Monday gheraoed the residences of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs across Punjab, demanding the resignations of chief minister Bhagwant Mann and the state’s director general of police (DGP), along with a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the murder.
Protesters gathered outside the residence of Mansa MLA Dr Vijay Singla, as well as the homes of Sardulgarh MLA Gurpreet Singh Banawali and Budhlada MLA Principal Budh Ram. They also pasted letters condemning the ruling party’s legislators outside their residences.
Jhotta was shot dead on October 13 following an alleged argument at a medical store in Mansa over the sale of intoxicating medicines. The killing triggered protests across Punjab, with his family and supporters demanding strict action against those responsible.
The action committee has demanded a CBI investigation into the murder and an alleged nexus between police, politicians and drug traffickers. It has also sought a post-mortem by a panel of senior doctors from Chandigarh’s PGIMER, with the family’s consent, and the dismissal of two station house officers, a deputy superintendent of police and a drug inspector in Mansa.
Other demands include installing a statue of Jhotta at the site of the killing, establishing a trauma centre in his name at Khiala Kalan village, and conducting a fast-track trial to ensure exemplary punishment for the accused.
The committee has also sought free government treatment and compensation of ₹20 lakh each for four people injured in the firing.
