Parvinder Jhota murder case: Family agrees to post-mortem, cremation after 22 days of prolonged standoff
PTC News Desk: After 22 days of prolonged standoff, political interventions with the state government the family of slain anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota on Wednesday agreed to his post-mortem and cremation.
After a five-hour meeting between the Punjab government and Action Committee representatives, the two sides reached an agreement on several key demands. Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian and senior police officers attended the meeting.
An agreement was reached on the release of Lakha Sidhana and other jailed leaders. The Action Committee said Parminder Singh Jhotta’s post-mortem would be conducted and his last rites would take place only after the leaders were released from jail.
The government also assured Jhotta’s family of compensation of Rs 2 crore and a government job for one family member. The family of Daljit Singh Bhamme was also assured a job and compensation.
Action Committee media in-charge Hardeep Singh Sidhu said the release of Lakha Sidhana and the other leaders was the main issue during the meeting. The committee had refused to allow the post-mortem and last rites until the leaders were released.
Sidhu said an agreement was also reached to approve the construction of a trauma centre in Khiala Kalan in Parminder Singh Jhotta’s name within a week. The government further assured a timely, high-level inquiry against the police and health department officials concerned.
No agreement on memorial at incident site
The two sides agreed to establish a memorial or statue in Jhotta’s memory, but could not agree on placing it at the site of the incident. Government representatives said the site was private property and could create legal complications.
The Action Committee has also demanded the unconditional release of the arrested leaders and the withdrawal of cases registered against them.
These include cases related to protests that began on October 13 in Bhamme Kalan and Budhlada, as well as cases involving the Akali Dal. The committee has also sought the withdrawal of cases related to tearing down flex boards across Punjab and what it described as false cases against Jhotta’s father and workers of the Anti-Drug Task Force.
Following these developments, the planned gherao of the Chief Minister’s residence on November 5 has been postponed. It remains to be seen how quickly the government implements its assurances and when the jailed leaders will be released.
- PTC NEWS
