Mansa: A committee formed following the killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa has called for a Punjab-wide bandh on October 15 and demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav.
Police have arrested one person in connection with the case, while the main accused, medical store owner Ashwani Kumar, remains at large, according to Bathinda Range Deputy Inspector General Harjeet Singh.
The DIG said the killing appeared to stem from an old personal rivalry between Jhota and the accused. He added that the arrested person had allegedly helped Kumar escape after the shooting. Police received information about the incident at around 10.30am on Tuesday.
Investigators suspect that a licensed firearm was used in the shooting. Police have formed multiple teams to trace the suspects and have also detained family members of the accused as part of the investigation. The police have not disclosed the identity of the arrested person.
Medical store vandalised during protest
Tensions escalated in Mansa later in the day when a group of protesters, including some Nihang Sikhs, allegedly vandalised a medical store believed to be linked to the killing. The incident took place at around 3.30pm in the presence of a large police deployment.
A fire tender stationed at the site was also reportedly damaged. Police subsequently brought the situation under control.
Facebook Live captured argument before shooting
A Facebook Live video recorded on Jhota’s page reportedly captured an argument between him and the medical store owner over alleged drug-related activity. The video, said to be around five minutes and 48 seconds long, contains the sound of gunfire.
Jhota had campaigned against drug abuse and the alleged illegal sale of intoxicating substances in Mansa and surrounding areas for several years. He was known for confronting people suspected of selling drugs, and his campaign had reportedly prompted several village panchayats to pass resolutions against the drug trade.
The investigation into his killing is ongoing, while the proposed bandh and demands for accountability have heightened pressure on the Punjab government.
