Punjab Anti-Drug Activist Parvinder Singh Jhota Shot Dead; Main Accused Arrested in Rajasthan

October 14 Mansa: Medical store owner Ashwani Kumar, the main accused in the killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, has been arrested in Rajasthan’s Salasar following a police manhunt. Jhota was shot dead in broad daylight in a busy market in Punjab’s Mansa district on Tuesday 13 oct after confronting the chemist over the alleged sale of addictive drugs. Police have also arrested an associate accused of helping Kumar flee. Jhota, who had been raising his voice against drug abuse and the alleged illegal sale of addictive substances at medical stores, had gone to Kumar’s shop along with his supporters to question him over the alleged sale of such drugs to an elderly customer. The confrontation was captured on video, including footage recorded by Jhota on his mobile phone. Kumar allegedly opened fire during the confrontation. Jhota was rushed to hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead. One of his companions was also seriously injured in the firing, according to reports. Police are investigating the circumstances of the murder, including the history of hostility between the two men. In July 2023, Jhota and his supporters had allegedly paraded Kumar through a market with a garland of shoes around his neck after accusing him of selling banned capsules. Police had registered a case against Kumar on Jhota’s complaint and subsequently booked Jhota as well for allegedly taking the law into his own hands. Opposition Leaders Condemn Killing, Target AAP Government The murder triggered widespread outrage and intensified criticism of the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government over Punjab’s law-and-order situation and its campaign against drugs. Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia questioned the safety of people speaking out against drug abuse. Condemning the killing, he asked Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann whether anyone who dared to raise their voice against the drug menace would be killed. Congress MP Amrinder Singh Raja Warring described the broad-daylight murder as evidence of the government’s alleged failure to maintain law and order. Punjab BJP chief Kewal Singh Dhillon described the incident as an example of “jungle raj” in the state. Questioning the government’s claims of bringing change, he called on Bhagwant Mann to resign, holding the AAP administration responsible for the deteriorating law-and-order situation. Former Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar on Tuesday questioned Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over the state's law and order situation following the killing of anti-drug actvist in mansa. "Bhagwant Mann ji, even if you are just a paper chief minister, you still bear the responsibility toward Punjab,” Jakhar said in a post on X. Addressing a press conference, the newly appointed Punjab Congress president Pargat singh said the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) much-publicized ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign stood exposed. AAP Promises Strict Action AAP leader Baltej Pannu condemned the murder and said no one had the right to take the law into their own hands. He assured that those found guilty would face strict action and called for a thorough and impartial investigation.