Punjab Bandh Highlights: No Dussehra celebrations to be held in Mansa this year over Parvinder Jhota's killing; two accused sent to 7-day police custody
The main accused, Ashwini Kumar, and Vipin Kumar, who allegedly helped him escape, were produced before a Mansa court through video conferencing on Thursday. The court sent both accused to 10 days of police remand for further investigation.
पंजाब में नशे के ख़िलाफ़ आवाज़ उठाना अब जानलेवा हो गया है। और यह भगवंत मान की AAP सरकार के राज में हो रहा है।
मानसा: 'नशा रोको, रोज़गार दो' अभियान चलाने वाले परविंदर सिंह झोटा को दिनदहाड़े गोली मार दी गई जो एक फ़ेसबुक लाइव पर साफ़ दिखी।
संगरूर - मुख्यमंत्री का अपना ज़िला: मज़दूर गुलज़ार सिंह ने मंत्री के सामने गाँव में नशे का सवाल उठाया। परिवार का आरोप है कि उसके बाद उन पर माफ़ी माँगने का दबाव डाला गया। उन्होंने अपनी जान दे दी।
संगरूर: नशे के ख़िलाफ़ बोलने वाले मोहनजीत सिंह पर हिरासत में यातना के आरोप - मामला अब हाईकोर्ट में है।
और झोटा की कहानी में एक बात और है। जब उन्होंने शिकायत की, तो FIR हुई और पुलिस ने बाद में झोटा को भी बुक कर दिया।
जिस सरकार में शिकायत करने वाला भी मुलज़िम बन जाए, वहाँ नशे के सौदागर बेख़ौफ़ क्यों न हों?
CM भगवंत मान जवाब दें: नशे के ख़िलाफ़ लड़ने वालों की हिफ़ाज़त कौन करेगा?
पंजाब के युवाओं का भविष्य तबाह करने वाले इस नशे के साम्राज्य को ख़त्म किए बिना कांग्रेस चैन से नहीं बैठेगी।
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 15, 2026
Protesters have blocked the Chandigarh-Kharar highway and stopped police vehicles from passing. As a result, police officials had to turn back and return to Chandigarh.
Several protestors took down posters of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann at Jalandhar bypass and Ladhowal in Ludhiana
The effects of the Punjab bandh call following the murder of Parvinder Singh Jhota were also visible in Jalandhar. Sikh organisations had called for a peaceful sit-in at Guru Nanak Mission Chowk. The protesters had planned to sit together and recite prayers from 8 am to 2 pm. However, police detained several Sikh organisation leaders, including Harjinder Singh Jinda and Professor MP Singh. Videos of the incident are rapidly circulating on social media. The footage shows Sikh organisation leaders raising slogans against the police administration.
The Punjab bandh received a mixed response in Phagwara on Thursday. Most markets remained closed, but road traffic continued to run normally. No road or railway blockades had been reported by 11 am. Public transport services were affected by around 70–80 per cent, while nearly 70–80 per cent of private schools remained closed. Government schools continued to operate. Around 90 per cent of shops and commercial establishments remained shut. However, hospitals, medical facilities and emergency services continued to function. Protests were reported at three locations in the town. Congress workers, led by Phagwara MLA Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal, gathered at BR Ambedkar Park in Hargobind Nagar and began a sit-in protest against the incident.
No agreement was reached on the cremation of Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa after Bathinda Range DIG Harjit Singh met his family to discuss the matter. SSP Vaibhav Chaudhary said Mansa police had suspended the SHO of City-2 police station. He added that a decision on action against the DSP would be taken at the police headquarters level.
Bhim Singh, father of slain anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, on Thursday ruled out entering politics but strongly criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab. He accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of misleading the public and warned that the ruling party could suffer a major setback in the upcoming elections.
Following the widespread impact of the Punjab bandh, the AAP government has taken action. After suspending Mansa SHO Beant Kaur, police took Neelam Rani, wife of accused chemist Ashwini Kumar, into custody.
She is accused of helping her husband escape after the murder. The medical store was reportedly registered in her name.
Various organisations have blocked roads at Gagan Chowk in Rajpura in response to a call issued over the incident in Mansa. Routes connecting Chandigarh Road, Patiala Road and Ambala Road have been closed, while police personnel are present at the spot.
Police round up Nihangs as they try to protest outside Bathinda bus stand.
SHO Beant Kaur of City-2 police station has been transferred to the police lines.
Mansa SSP confirmed the action.
Parvinder Singh Jhotta was murdered in the area under her jurisdiction.
Jhotta’s family had levelled serious allegations against SHO Beant Kaur.
The family alleged that drugs were being sold under her protection.
Bathinda Range DIG Harjeet Singh has apologised to the action committee seeking justice for slain anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota after its members objected to his remarks linking the murder to an old personal rivalry. A high-level team comprising the DIG, Mansa SSP Vaibhav Chaudhary, Deputy Commissioner Navjot Kaur and ADC Poonam Singh met committee members to seek their cooperation on Thursday night.
Farmers and members of various organisations gathered at Golden Gate in Amritsar at 7 am to support the Punjab bandh. They raised slogans against the Bhagwant Mann-led state government and demanded its dismissal.
Despite heavy rain, the protesters burnt an effigy of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The protest was led by the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee.
The farmer leaders accused the state government of failing to control the drug problem in Punjab. They held the Chief Minister responsible for the alleged open sale of drugs and raised concerns over the death of Parvinder Singh Jhotta in Mansa.
The protesters demanded Mann’s resignation, alleging that his government had failed to stop drug trafficking and protect the state’s youth.
Mansa police have named Neelam Rani, wife of the main accused, medical shop owner Ashwini Kumar, in the murder case of Parvinder Singh Jhotta. Ladi Barnala and Vipin Garg have also been named in the case.
According to reports, Ashwini Kumar spoke to a family member on his mobile phone before allegedly opening fire on Jhotta at the shop. He then fired at Jhotta and his companions again as they fled through the market.
According to the information available, several people tried to stop the shopkeeper by calling out his name, but he did not listen.
DIG Harjit Singh had earlier said that the police’s preliminary investigation revealed that the accused was speaking to a family member on his mobile phone at the time of the incident.
The police tried to detain some protesters who were trying to block the highway at Maur Chowk in Bathinda. The protesters said they would gather at the Mandi Kalan grain market and then move together to block the road again.
As part of the Punjab bandh today, the road outside Gurdwara Singh Shaheedan, Sohana Sahib, on Mohali Airport Road was completely blocked to demand justice for Parvinder Singh Jhotta.
The road outside Gurdwara Singh Shaheedan, Sohana Sahib, on Mohali Airport Road was completely blocked today as part of the Punjab bandh called to demand justice for Parvinder Singh Jhota.
Police accused of stopping leaders of various organisations.
Protesters and police faced off at several locations.
Police action reported in Pathankot, Hoshiarpur and Rampura Phul.
Clash between farmer leaders and police in Rampura Phul.
Police detained several farmers.
Farmer leader Kulwinder Singh detained in Jalandhar.
Police personnel have been deployed at Guru Nanak Mission Chowk in Jalandhar, where the Shiromani Akali Dal is scheduled to hold a protest. Heavy police deployment has also been reported in various parts of the city amid the Punjab bandh.
Residents of Rummi village blocked traffic on the Raikot–Jagraon road in support of the Punjab bandh call over the killing of Parvinder Singh Jhota.
The protesters staged a sit-in on the main road, raising slogans such as “Kejriwal Murdabad”, “AAP Government Murdabad” and demanding the resignation of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
The Punjab bandh has no impact in Nangal, Kiratpur Sahib and Sri Anandpur Sahib, as shops and markets remained open. Meanwhile, some leaders of various organisations were detained at their homes, according to reports.
In support of the Punjab bandh, Mission Sutlej also blocked the Landran–Fatehgarh Sahib road, bringing all traffic to a halt. Only emergency services were allowed to continue.
Mission Sutlej president Brar said the organisation was extending its support to the bandh across Punjab. He said what had happened was wrong and that the Punjab government needed to be held accountable, alleging that the government and its officials were responsible for these actions.
The Punjab bandh has received a response in Gurdaspur, where markets have remained closed. However, no protests of any kind have been reported in the city so far.
Supporting the Punjab bandh, Mission Satluj has also blocked the Landran–Fatehgarh Sahib road, bringing vehicular movement to a halt. Only emergency services have been allowed to operate.
Mission Satluj president said the organisation was extending support to the bandh across Punjab, stating that what had happened was wrong and that the Punjab Government needed to be held accountable. He alleged that the government and its officials were responsible for the situation.
The District Bar Association (DBA) in Chandigarh will observe a ‘No Work Day’ today, October 15. The decision was unanimously taken during an emergency meeting of the association’s executive body on October 14.
The association has decided to abstain from work in connection with the proposed Punjab bandh and to protest the alleged insult and mistreatment of lawyers during a demonstration at the Supreme Court in New Delhi recently.
The DBA has appealed to all its members in Chandigarh to observe the ‘No Work Day’ and refrain from judicial work.
It has also requested judicial officers to adjourn cases to appropriate future dates in view of the lawyers’ absence and refrain from passing any adverse orders against them in their absence.
A confrontation broke out between police and leaders of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Sidhupur) in Rampura Phul over blocking the road. After police detained the farmers, they reportedly clashed with police personnel and attempted to flee from custody.
In Faridkot, police detained Tej Singh Pakka, block president of Bharatiya Kisan Union Ekta Sidhupur, along with other leaders and workers, as they were preparing to block the Amritsar-Bathinda National Highway during the Punjab Bandh.
A Punjab Bandh is being observed today (October 15) in protest against the murder of anti-drug activist Jhota in Mansa. The shutdown will remain in force from 6 am to 5 pm. Only emergency services such as hospitals, medical stores, fire brigade and ambulances have been exempted.
Private schools and colleges are closed in Ludhiana, Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Bathinda, Mansa and Jalandhar. Government schools, however, remain open.
In Bathinda, members of the Kisan organisation Sidhupur blocked the Bathinda-Chandigarh highway. Markets are also shut.
A Punjab bandh has been called today to protest the murder of Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa. The city of Mansa remains completely shut. Despite heavy rainfall, the shutdown continues across the city, while protesters are holding a peaceful sit-in and demonstration.
A meeting of state leaders of the Punjab Roadways, PUNBUS and PRTC Contract Workers Union Punjab (25/11) was held. Union state leader Resham Singh Gill said the government has failed to deliver justice to employees and the youth. Meanwhile, Harkesh Kumar Vicky strongly condemned the broad-daylight murder of Jhota.
The union has appealed to employees that during the Punjab Bandh on October 15, if anyone asks them to stop the buses, they should stop them. The leaders said that if the management forces buses to run, it will be responsible for any resulting losses.
In Ludhiana, the following schools will remain closed: Sacred Heart Convent (Sarabha Nagar), Sacred Heart (Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar), BCM Arya (Shastri Nagar), Manav Rachna School, all DAV schools, Tagore School, Drishti School, GNIPS, BVM Group of Schools, Sacred Heart schools under the Jalandhar Diocese, Lakewood School, Jeevan Model School and Clay School.
Toll Plaza Workers Union Punjab state president Darshan Singh Laddi said that Parwinder Singh Jhota, a “great warrior of Punjab” who was fighting against drugs, has fallen victim to drug peddlers. In protest, leaders who have Punjab’s interest at heart have called a Punjab Bandh on October 15.
In view of the bandh, the union has also decided to support it. The union has decided that all toll plazas across Punjab will be made free for passing vehicles from 8 am, for an indefinite period.
He said all toll plaza employees will stage a sit-in (dharna) at the toll plazas in protest. On this occasion, he appealed to all farmers, labourers, employees, pensioners and traders across the state to gather at the toll plazas to make Punjab drug-free, so that the younger generation can be pulled out of the grip of drugs.
Gyms and private schools in Jalandhar have been kept closed in protest against the murder of anti-drug activist Parwinder Jhota in Mansa. The BSF school management has informed parents through a message.
Punjab Bandh LIVE: Punjab is observing a bandh today, from 6 am to 5 pm, in protest against the killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota. He was shot dead at a chemist shop in Mansa on Tuesday morning.
The call was given by the Insaaf Morcha, a joint action committee of various organisations formed after Jhota’s death. The Morcha and Jhota’s father have appealed for a peaceful shutdown and urged the public to support it in the demand for justice.
The incident
Jhota (45) was livestreaming on Facebook when he confronted chemist shop owner Ashwani, reportedly over the alleged sale of drugs. He said he had received a tip-off about the sale. A doctor at Mansa Civil Hospital said one bullet pierced Jhota’s liver, causing his death. Preliminary indications suggest a licensed weapon was used.
The two had a history of confrontation over alleged drug sales. The police had registered a case against Ashwani on Jhota’s complaint.
Allegations against police
Jhota’s supporters allege that he called several police officers, including senior ones, before the confrontation, but no one reached the spot in time. The Morcha is demanding the resignation of the DSP concerned and of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who also holds the Home portfolio.
Question over phone call
Supporters also point out that Ashwani was on the phone during the argument and ask who was on the other end and who backed him. The identity of the caller has not been established and the demand is for a probe into any possible links or protection.
Cremation withheld
Jhota’s body remains in the mortuary. His family has not cremated it as the protest continues.
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