Parvinder Jhota murder case
Parvinder Jhota murder case: Anger is increasing in the state after the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa, Punjab. Punjab bandh has been called on October 15 in protest against this massacre. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has also supported this bandh and announced to keep its offices closed. Political and social organizations have raised questions on the state government regarding this incident. The protesters have demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav. Parvinder Singh Jhota was murdered on October 13 in Mansa, where he had been campaigning against drugs for a long time. There is tension in the area after the incident and the demand for strict action against the culprits has intensified.
SGPC supports bandh
SGPC has extended its support to the bandh called to protest against the murder of Parvinder Singh Jhota. Committee Chairman Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami said that the murder of an activist who raised his voice against drugs is a serious matter. SGPC has announced that its offices and related institutions will remain closed on October 15. The purpose of this bandh is to register protest against the massacre and demand effective action against the illegal drug trade in the state. However, the full extent of its impact on markets, public transport and other services across the state is not yet clear.
Murder happened during Facebook Live
Parvinder Singh Jhota was actively working against drug addiction in Mansa. On October 13, he was questioning Ashwani Kumar, a medical store operator, about the sale of narcotics. Meanwhile, the dispute escalated and Jhota died in the firing. Part of the incident was recorded in Facebook Live video. Other people present with Jhota were also injured in the firing. After this incident, there was huge anger among the local people and supporters. The family had said that they would not perform the last rites until they got justice and had demanded an impartial investigation into the case.
Arrest of main accused Ashwani Kumar
After the murder, the police started searching for the accused Ashwani Kumar. He was arrested from Salasar in Rajasthan. Police are investigating the case and the events leading to the shooting and the role of other accused are being probed. Meanwhile, an incident of vandalism and arson in the medical store of the accused came to light in Mansa. The district administration also demolished the illegal part of his house. Officials said the action was related to illegal construction, while police forces were deployed to maintain law and order in the area.
Demand for resignation of Chief Minister and DGP
After the murder of Parvinder Jhota, opposition parties and protesters have targeted the state government over drug trade and law and order in Punjab. The protesters have demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and DGP Gaurav Yadav. At the same time, Bharatiya Janata Party has raised the demand to get the matter investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) member Priyank Kanungo also expressed serious concern over the incident and called it a serious matter related to law and order in the state and the safety of people working against drugs.