Parvinder Jhota murder: Opposition targets AAP government over drug menace, collapsing law and order
The incident has since drawn significant attention with the opposition targeting the AAP government over its obliviousness in handling the drug menace in the state with the law and order cease to exist.
PTC News Desk: The killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa has once again put Punjab and its AAP government's failure to contain drug menace under the spotlight. The anti-drug activist was shot dead in broad daylight in Punjab's Mansa district over raising objection to sale of drugs.
He was shot dead by a medical owner, who fled the scene after the killing.
The incident has since drawn significant attention with the opposition targeting the AAP government over its obliviousness in handling the drug menace in the state with the law and order cease to exist. The opposition also took a dig at AAP's anti-drug campaign 'Yudh Nasheyan Virudh', calling it a mere gimmick.
Opposition condemns killing
SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal condemned the murder of Jhota in broad daylight and called the AAP government's Yudh Nasheyan Virudh a mere gimmick.
"This heinous murder is a stark reminder that law and order has ceased to exist in Punjab. The deceased had been continuously raising his voice against the drug menace but no one took heed and no one supported him. The much-hyped Yudh Nashian Virudh is nothing but a gimmick and has completely failed," Sukhbir Singh Badal said in a social media post.
Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon while criticising the killing of anti-drug activist, described it as an example of prevailing 'jungle raj' in Punjab.
"Parvinder Jhotta, who raised his voice against drug abuse, was allegedly murdered in broad daylight in Mansa. Incidents of murder, gangster-related violence and the open sale of drugs have become recurring concerns. The law and order situation appears to exist only on paper," said Kewal Dhillon.
Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira took a swipe at the AAP-led Punjab government and said that the broad daylight killing is a stark reminder of how powerful drug mafia is in the state.
Parvinder Jhota shot dead in broad daylight
Parvinder Singh Jhotta, who led an anti-drug task force in Mansa, Punjab, was shot dead by a medical store owner on Tuesday morning, according to preliminary reports. The bullets were fired from close range and reportedly passed through his body.
One of Jhotta’s associates was also seriously injured in the incident. After learning about the murder, a large police force reached the spot. Meanwhile, Jhotta’s supporters began gathering at his residence.
Jhotta had been actively opposing drug abuse and drug sales in Mansa for a long time. He reportedly tried to stop the sale of drugs and also confronted people allegedly involved in the trade. These efforts had led to several disputes in the past.
At his initiative, several village panchayats had also passed resolutions against drug abuse and trafficking.
A purported video related to the murder has also surfaced showing a confrontation between Jhota and medical owner and the latter flashing his pistol as the argument intensifies. The footage reportedly shows the dispute before the shop owner allegedly shoots Jhotta.
Jhotta had been actively campaigning against drug abuse and the illegal sale of drugs in Mansa for a long time. He not only tried to stop drug sales but also confronted people allegedly involved in the trade. His activities had led to several disputes in the past. At his initiative, several village panchayats had also passed resolutions against drugs.