Mansa :
Police arrested medical store owner Ashwani Kumar in Rajasthan’s Salasar in connection with the killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa, Punjab.
According to reports, the incident occurred when Jhota and his supporters confronted the medical store owner at a busy market in Mansa over the alleged sale of addictive drugs to a customer. Following the confrontation, Jhota and his companions ran out of the shop. A video purportedly shows the store owner emerging with a weapon and chasing Jhota. The activist was later found critically injured inside a nearby shop and was taken to hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.
The killing has triggered widespread condemnation and renewed concerns over Punjab’s drug menace and law-and-order situation. Jhota was known for raising his voice against drug abuse and the alleged illegal sale of addictive substances at chemist shops.
Political leaders from various parties criticised the incident and questioned the state government’s handling of law and order. Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia demanded accountability, while Congress MP Amrinder Singh Raja Warring alleged that the killing exposed failures in the government’s anti-drug campaign.
Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon also criticised the AAP government over the incident. Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal expressed shock and alleged that the government had failed to address the growing drug problem.
The Punjab government has condemned the killing and stated that strict action would be taken against those responsible. Further investigation into the case is underway.
