Our Bureau
Mansa
Parvinder Singh Jhota, an anti-drug activist known for campaigning against the alleged illegal sale of addictive medicines and contraband by chemists in Punjab, was shot dead at a medical store in Mansa on Tuesday. The incident occurred during a confrontation with the shop owner over the alleged sale of prohibited substances.
According to police, the accused, identified as local chemist Ashwani Kumar, allegedly opened fire on Jhota during the confrontation before fleeing the scene. Jhota and four of his companions sustained bullet injuries and were taken to Mansa Civil Hospital, where Jhota was declared dead. The injured were admitted for treatment.
Mansa Senior Superintendent of Police Vaibhav Choudhary said the accused had been identified and as per latest reports has been arrested in Rajasthan. The motive behind the shooting remains under investigation.
Jhota had been actively campaigning against drug abuse in Mansa and the wider Malwa region, frequently using social media videos to highlight the alleged sale of intoxicating pills and synthetic drugs at medical stores.
A former sportsperson who had overcome addiction, Jhota became a prominent voice in the local anti-drug movement. His campaign involved confronting suspected drug sellers and raising awareness about substance abuse among young people.
The killing has renewed concerns over Punjab’s drug problem and the safety of those attempting to expose suspected illegal activities.
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the history of tensions between Jhota and the accused. Reports indicate that the two had been involved in a confrontation in 2023.
The incident has brought renewed attention to the challenges faced by anti-drug campaigners in Punjab, where concerns over substance abuse and the alleged circulation of prohibited medicines continue to remain a public issue.