Anti-Drug Activist Killed in Punjab, Sparking Demolitions and Mob Protests

Protests erupted in Punjab's Mansa town on Wednesday following the fatal shooting of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota.

Demolitions And Mob Violence

Authorities demolished the front portion of the house belonging to the accused medical store owner, Ashwani Kumar, citing unauthorised construction. An excavator also targeted Kumar's store located about 700 metres away. Mobs including some 'Nihangs' vandalised the shop with swords, sticks and stones, dragged out the furniture, and set the structure on fire. Police had already arrested an associate of Kumar on Tuesday who helped him escape, while the main accused was taken into custody from Salasar in Rajasthan.

The Shooting And Fallout

Jhota was shot in broad daylight in a busy marketplace on Tuesday while hosting a Facebook Live. The incident occurred after Jhota and his companions questioned Kumar for selling addictive drugs to an elderly man. The murder caused massive tension in the town, with the activist's family refusing to cremate his body as a protest. Opposition leaders condemned the killing, criticising the government over a breakdown in law and order and the safety of anti-drug activists.

Official Response

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann promised the strictest punishment for those involved and appealed to the public to maintain peace. He stated that his government follows a zero-tolerance policy towards drug trafficking and directed the Director General of Police to investigate any lapses at every level.

Context

Drug abuse and the illegal sale of prescription drugs by chemists remain major public concerns in parts of Punjab. Activists who challenge local drug networks often face severe risks to their safety while trying to curb illegal substances.