Parvinder Singh Jhota, a prominent anti-drug activist, was fatally shot on Tuesday in the Mansa district of Punjab. He was known for his campaign against the illegal sale of addictive substances, often targeting chemist shops.
Jhota, who had previously battled addiction himself, founded the ‘Nasha Roko, Rozgaar Do’ campaign to combat drug abuse. His activism involved raiding suspected drug outlets and counselling individuals. This led to the formation of civilian committees in villages to support his efforts.
The activist was shot inside a medical store while confronting the owner about drug sales and recording the interaction. The store owner has been taken into custody. Police stated that preliminary investigations suggest the motive was personal enmity, citing a previous dispute between Jhota and the accused in 2023.
The incident has sparked outrage and a political response, with the CBI taking over the investigation. Jhota’s family and supporters are protesting, withholding consent for the cremation until justice is served.
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Source: thehindu.com
