Protests Erupt in Punjab Following the Murder of Activist Parvinder Singh Jhota
Protests across Punjab demand justice for activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, who was killed for speaking against drug abuse.
Chandigarh, October 15 (Daily Kiran) : Demonstrations erupted across Punjab on October 15 in response to the murder of activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, who had been vocal against drug abuse in the state. In Chandigarh, employees from the Punjab Civil Secretariat and nearby directorates rallied in Sector 17, showing their support for the shutdown called in Jhota’s honor. Meanwhile, in Jalandhar, farmers blocked the Jalandhar-Delhi National Highway, disrupting traffic until police intervened and cleared the road.
Protesters demanded accountability for those responsible for Jhota’s death. Farmer organizations criticized the government for its handling of drug-related issues, urging Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to resign on moral grounds. Police officials stated they took necessary measures to maintain law and order and minimize public inconvenience during the protests.
Sukhchain Singh Khaira, president of the Punjab Government Employees Association, emphasized that Jhota was fighting for the welfare of Punjab’s youth against drug trafficking. He noted that employees gathered to pay tribute to Jhota and planned to visit his family the following day to offer support.
In Jalandhar, the highway blockade led to significant traffic disruption, prompting police to detain protest leaders temporarily. One farmer leader expressed frustration over attempts to prevent them from reaching the protest site, accusing the government of neglecting public safety in drug trafficking cases.
Jalandhar’s police commissioner, Satinder Singh, confirmed that protesters were quickly moved off the road and that traffic had returned to normal. He reassured the public that law enforcement was cooperating with all organizations involved.
DIG Harjeet Singh visited Jhota’s family in Mansa, stating that police were in continuous contact with them and that the situation remained peaceful. He mentioned that two suspects had been arrested and would soon face court proceedings.
Amritsar’s police commissioner, Harmanveer Singh Gill, noted that the police had previously reached out to various organizations, urging them not to coerce anyone into closing businesses or homes. He stressed that those wishing to keep their shops open should be allowed to do so, as many rely on daily earnings to support their families.
Sarwan Singh Pandher, a leader of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, reported strong public support for the shutdown, with many businesses remaining closed. He highlighted that a large crowd gathered at Amritsar’s Golden Gate, where they burned an effigy of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, demanding his resignation and that of the Director General of Police.
Tensions remain high as the community continues to seek justice for Jhota and address the pervasive issue of drug abuse in Punjab.
