MANSA, PUNJAB: The killing of anti-drug activist Parminder Singh Jhota has reignited a painful debate over Punjab’s drug crisis, the alleged illegal sale of addictive substances and the responsibility of law-enforcement agencies to protect those who raise their voices against the menace.
Jhota, also reported as Parvinder Singh, became known in Mansa and surrounding areas for confronting suspected drug sellers and documenting his allegations through social media livestreams. A former sportsperson who had reportedly struggled with substance abuse himself, he turned his personal experience into a public campaign against drugs. His message, associated with the slogan “Nasha Roko, Rozgar Do” (Stop Drugs, Provide Employment), connected the fight against addiction with the urgent need for employment opportunities for Punjab’s youth. <Cite refs={[“turn720223search1″,”turn720223search5”]}/>
On October 13, 2026, Jhota was fatally shot during a confrontation at a medical store in Mansa. According to published reports, he was questioning the shop owner, Ashwani Kumar, over the alleged sale of addictive substances. The confrontation was being recorded on a Facebook livestream when the shooting occurred. Four other people were also reported injured. Kumar was subsequently arrested in Rajasthan, according to police reports. The allegations against him remain subject to the legal process. <Cite refs={[“turn720223search3″,”turn720223search4”]}/>
Jhota’s methods were confrontational, and his earlier activities had also brought him into conflict with the police. In 2023, he and his supporters publicly confronted Kumar over allegations of illegal drug sales. Police action had followed that earlier episode as well. These details form part of the background to the latest case, but they do not, by themselves, establish the motive for the fatal shooting. That question must be resolved through a fair and evidence-based investigation. <Cite refs={[“turn720223search5″,”turn720223search7”]}/>
The central issue goes beyond one individual. Punjab has spent years confronting the consequences of substance abuse, including damaged families, disrupted education, unemployment and the loss of young lives. When citizens allege that addictive substances are being sold illegally, their complaints must receive a lawful, prompt and impartial response.No activist should have to rely on personal confrontation to make authorities examine allegations of illegal drug sales. Equally, citizens must not take the law into their own hands. The responsibility for investigating suspected offences rests with the police and other competent agencies.
Jhota’s killing triggered widespread protests in Mansa. His family and supporters demanded justice, accountability and a thorough investigation, while his father, Bhim Singh, an ex-serviceman, insisted that the family’s priority was justice rather than financial compensation. Protesters also sought a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe and raised questions about the handling of earlier complaints against the accused. <Cite refs={[“turn720223search2″,”turn720223search6”]}/>
The administration subsequently suspended City-2 Station House Officer Beant Kaur amid allegations of police negligence. Police also named the accused’s wife and other individuals in connection with the case as the investigation progressed. These developments make it particularly important to distinguish allegations from established findings and to establish the responsibility, if any, of each person through evidence. <Cite refs={[“turn720223search2″,”turn720223search6”]}/>
The suspension of an officer is an administrative development, not proof by itself of criminal culpability. Likewise, allegations that earlier complaints were inadequately handled need to be examined through records, witness statements and a transparent review of the police response.The Punjab government faces legitimate questions about how complaints involving suspected illegal drug sales are received, investigated and followed up. Were earlier complaints recorded and investigated appropriately? Were the relevant licensing and regulatory authorities alerted where necessary? Were credible threats assessed, and were appropriate preventive measures considered?These questions should be answered through documentary evidence and an independent assessment wherever warranted—not merely through political statements or assurances of strict action.
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