Manasa. Anti-Drug Task Force leader Parvinder Singh Jhota, who raised his voice against the drug trade in Punjab, was given a final farewell on Sunday. A large number of people attended his funeral. The atmosphere became emotional when the family members had the last glimpse of his mortal remains and the children offered funeral pyre to their father. On this occasion, the supporters also reiterated their resolve to carry forward the campaign started by him against drug addiction.
After incidents that lasted for about 26 days, his mortal remains were brought to Mansa from Chandigarh. As soon as he entered the city, people paid tribute to him by showering flowers at various places. The people present in the ongoing protest against drugs at Tikoni Chowk in Mansa also bid their last farewell by showering flowers. After this, the mortal remains were taken to his home, where family members including wife Manpreet Kaur, mother Amarjeet Kaur and children paid their last respects.
Body reached Mansa after post mortem in PGI
Parvinder Jhota's mortal remains reached Mansa on Sunday morning after the post-mortem process was completed at PGI, Chandigarh. His body was kept in a tractor-trolley decorated with flowers and taken through the city to the cremation site. People paid tribute by showering flowers at various places on the way. Even in the ongoing dharna at Tikoni Chowk in Mansa, supporters remembered their leader by showering flowers. The controversy and agitation that went on for about 26 days regarding the last rites of the dead body came to an end after the post-mortem at PGI on Saturday. The last rites were performed at his farm on Chakeria Road on Sunday at around 2:30 pm.
Last seen at home and Central Park
When the ambulance that left from Chandigarh in the morning reached Mansa, a large number of supporters were present there. The mortal remains were first taken to his home. Here wife Manpreet Kaur, mother Amarjeet Kaur and children paid their last respects with tearful eyes. After this the body was kept outside the Central Park for the last glimpse of the people. During this, Ragi Singhs performed Gurbani Kirtan and the atmosphere became completely emotional.
Before the cremation, Ardaas were performed as per Sikh religious traditions. After this, in the presence of family and relatives, Jhota's children offered fire to their father's funeral pyre. The people participating in the last journey remembered his struggle by raising slogans like 'Parvinder Jhota amar rahe' and 'Parvinder Jhota teri soch par pahra denge thok ke'.
Many leaders including Amritpal Singh's father arrived
People associated with various political and social organizations participated in the last farewell of Parvinder Jhota. Many prominent people including Tarsem Singh, father of Waris Punjab Party MP Amritpal Singh, party MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali and former MLA Hardev Arshi were present. The participation of a large number of youth gave this event a wide public support.
Father's emotional appeal to the youth, pledge to continue the war against drugs
On this occasion, Parvinder Jhota's father Bhim Singh made an emotional appeal to the youth and said that true tribute to his son will be given only when the youth of Punjab resolve to stay away from drugs. He said that the youth should not consume drugs themselves and should not allow anyone around them to sell or trade drugs.
Bhim Singh made it clear that the fight against drugs that his son had started would not be allowed to stop at any cost. This struggle will continue further. He also reiterated the demand for resignation of Mansa SSP Vaibhav Chaudhary. It is noteworthy that Parvinder Singh Jhota was shot dead in Mansa on 13 October. After this, the family and supporters launched a long movement demanding justice. The post-mortem of the dead body was conducted at PGI, Chandigarh after 26 days.