States » NorthPosted at: Oct 19 2026 4:30PM


Protests erupt in Punjab over anti-drug activist's murder; farmers demand CBI probe

Neeraj Bali
Chandigarh, Oct 19 (UNI) Farmer unions and civil society organisations staged protests outside the residences of ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislators and ministers across Punjab on Monday, demanding a CBI probe into the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota and accusing the Bhagwant Mann government of failing to curb drug trafficking.
Acting on a call by the Insaaf Action Committee, protesters held demonstrations from noon to 3 pm, raising anti-government slogans and delivering or pasting "Lahnati Patras" (letters of condemnation) outside AAP leaders' residences.
The protesters demanded justice for Jhota's family, an independent investigation and stronger action against drug traffickers. The family and action committee have refused to perform his last rites until their demands are met.
In Amritsar, farmer leaders Sarwan Singh Pandher and Gurbachan Singh Chabba protested outside the residence of cabinet minister Harbhajan Singh ETO.
Chabba alleged that Jhota had been targeted for campaigning against drugs and questioned how a person allegedly facing drug-related cases had obtained a firearms licence.
"Until the victim's family and the action committee get complete justice, the last rites will not be performed and our struggle will continue," Chabba said.
Pandher criticised both the Punjab government and the Centre, questioning union Home Minister Amit Shah's proposed visit to Punjab.
"Political leaders come only to bake their own bread on a hot griddle. They have no sympathy for Punjab's real problems," Pandher said.
"How are drugs entering through international borders? Is there no drug problem in Delhi? Why is Punjab alone being held responsible?" he asked, warning that protests would intensify if the demands remained unaddressed.
In Rajpura, protesters broke through police barricades near AAP legislator Neena Mittal's residence and pasted a letter of condemnation outside her house. A heated exchange followed between demonstrators and police personnel.
Similar protests were reported in Hoshiarpur, where farmers gathered outside AAP legislator Dr Ishank Kumar's residence.
"Parvinder Jhota was risking his life to save Punjab's youth from drugs. Now that he has been killed, the government and its representatives are sitting as silent spectators," farmer leader Jagtar Singh Bhinder alleged.
Meanwhile, senior AAP leader Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal defended the Mann government's anti-drug campaign and accused the BJP-led Centre of attempting to malign Punjab.
"Instead of coming to Punjab and defaming the state, Amit Shah should go to Mumbai, where film stars are receiving threats under a BJP-led government," Dhaliwal said.
He alleged that narcotics were entering India through Gujarat's Mundra port and reaching Punjab and other states. He also accused the Centre of failing to provide adequate anti-drone technology and financial assistance to combat cross-border smuggling.
"The Bhagwant Mann government is fighting a continuous war against drugs, but the Centre has not extended the assistance Punjab requires," Dhaliwal said.
Dhaliwal's allegations regarding drug trafficking routes and central assistance could not be independently verified.
Jhota was shot dead on October 13 during a confrontation at a medical store in Mansa over the alleged sale of addictive substances. Police subsequently arrested the principal accused, medical store owner Ashwani Kumar, in Rajasthan.
The killing triggered widespread protests, including a Punjab-wide shutdown on October 15.
The action committee has demanded a CBI investigation, a memorial in Jhota's name and compensation for those injured in the shooting, warning that the agitation would continue until justice was delivered.
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