States » NorthPosted at: Nov 4 2026 10:32PM


Punjab anti-drug activist's family ends 23-day standoff after Rs 2 crore compensation deal

Chandigarh, Nov 4 (UNI) A 23-day standoff over the killing of Punjab anti-drug campaigner Parvinder Singh, known as Jhota, ended on Wednesday after his family agreed to his cremation following a deal with the state government that includes Rs 2 crore in compensation, a job for his widow and several other concessions.
The breakthrough came after talks in Mansa involving Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, members of Jhota's family and a committee coordinating protests over his death.
The agreement, however, stopped short of meeting the protesters' demand for the resignation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the state's police chief, leaving one of the most politically sensitive issues unresolved.
Jhota, who had campaigned against the alleged illegal sale of addictive pharmaceutical drugs, was shot dead on October 13 during a confrontation at a medical store in Mansa. Four other people were injured.
His killing sparked protests and a prolonged dispute over the family's demands for compensation, accountability and action against those allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade.
Under the settlement announced after Wednesday's talks, the government agreed to provide Rs 2 crore to Jhota's family and offer his wife, Manpreet Kaur, a government job subject to her qualifications and applicable rules.
The agreement also covers the proposed withdrawal of criminal cases against Jhota's father, Bhim Singh, and members of an anti-drug group.
Authorities have agreed to establish a trauma centre in Jhota's name at Khiala village and install his statue in Mansa, according to details of the settlement.
The protesters also sought the release of those jailed during the agitation, including Lakha Sidhana. Any release would remain subject to the relevant legal procedures.
Following the agreement, organisers suspended a protest planned outside the chief minister's residence in Sangrur on November 5.
Jhota's body is scheduled to undergo a post-mortem examination at Chandigarh's Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research on November 6. The family has not announced when the cremation will take place.
The settlement comes as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) continues its inquiry into the killing, which has drawn attention to allegations surrounding the sale of restricted pharmaceutical substances in Punjab.
Investigators have been examining the circumstances in which Jhota was shot while questioning medical store operator Ashwani Kumar over suspected illegal drug sales.
Police arrested Kumar in Rajasthan following the shooting. His wife, Neelam Rani, and two other individuals, identified as Vipin Garg and Ladi, were subsequently named as accused.
The Punjab government decided on October 20 to transfer the investigation to the CBI, which registered its own case on October 22.
The agency has questioned family members and witnesses, examined the crime scene and collected forensic material.
The investigation has also been complicated by the destruction of Kumar's medical store during protests following the killing.
Mansa police registered a separate case against about 1,200 unidentified people over the damage, telling the Punjab and Haryana High Court that the case was filed on October 15.
On Wednesday, CBI investigators and local police oversaw the removal of debris from the shop as part of efforts to examine the site and recover potential evidence.
The agreement offers a resolution to the dispute over Jhota's funeral but does not settle questions surrounding his killing or the allegations of illegal pharmaceutical drug sales that he had been pursuing.
Those issues remain the subject of the continuing criminal investigation.
UNI NB CDS
Tags: #Punjab anti-drug activist's family ends 23-day standoff after Rs 2 crore compensation deal
More News

We will respond to opposition’s anarchy & lies in every village and every home: Pankaj Chaudhary

04 Nov 2026 | 11:03 PM

Gorakhpur, Nov 4 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh BJP President and union Minister of State for Finance, Pankaj Chaudhary, stated that this is a 'New India'—Modi ji’s 'Developed India' (Viksit Bharat), an India driven by a resolve for development.
"There is no place here for any form of anarchy or conspiratorial politics; we will provide a befitting reply to every lie and act of anarchy by the opposition by reaching out to every village and every household", he said.

see more..

Unreserved special express train to run between Srinagar-Katra on Nov 5 & 6

04 Nov 2026 | 10:58 PM

Jammu, Nov 4 (UNI) The Northern Railway's Jammu Division has made special and comprehensive arrangements in view of the heavy rush at railway stations during the festive season of Diwali and Chhath Puja.

see more..

Number of polling booths in UP has decreased by 3786 to 173,730 after reorganisation of the booths

04 Nov 2026 | 10:53 PM

Lucknow, Nov 4 (UNI) Ahead of the 2027 assembly elections, Election Commission of India( ECI) approved the proposal for allocation of polling booths in 403 Assembly constituencies across all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday, based on the prescribed standard of 1,200 voters.

see more..

Haryana CM sanctions over Rs 2,000 crore for 400 govt school buildings

04 Nov 2026 | 10:45 PM

Gurugram, Nov 4 (UNI) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday announced approval of a scheme worth more than Rs 2,000 crore to strengthen infrastructure in government schools, under which over 400 schools will get new buildings by the end of December 2027.

see more..

YS Parmar varsity embarks on next phase of growth, focus on self-reliance, innovation, global outreach

04 Nov 2026 | 10:41 PM

Arvind Kashyap
Solan, Nov 4 (UNI) In a decisive leap towards institutional self reliance and global outreach, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF), Nauni has unveiled a robust slate of research, entrepreneurial and academic infrastructure.

see more..