Punjab Government and Police Blamed for Parvinder Jhottas Murder, Says Akali Leader Majithia

Chandigarh, October 15 (Daily Kiran) : Senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader S. Vikram Singh Majithia has accused the Punjab government and police of failing to protect anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhotta, who was recently murdered by a medical store owner. Speaking on Thursday in Chandigarh, Majithia labeled the incident a clear sign of systemic failure and raised concerns about the renewal of the assailant’s weapon license.

“This is a complete failure of the system,” Majithia stated. He noted that the accused had previously faced license revocations on four occasions and had been implicated in multiple cases. “How did he manage to obtain a license again? He was repeatedly selling drugs while Jhotta was exposing these activities. If the license hadn’t been renewed, this conflict might never have escalated to the point where Jhotta was shot.”

Majithia emphasized that the murder reflects the ongoing incompetence of both the government and police. He questioned the support the accused might have received that allowed him to possess a weapon without fear of repercussion. “This is a failure of the current government. How did he receive a weapon license? What protection did he have that allowed him to roam freely, as if he could do anything, including firing at anyone? This all points to police ineffectiveness.”

The Akali leader described Jhotta’s murder as a pivotal moment in the fight against drug abuse in Punjab, a problem that has plagued the region for years. “This has become a turning point, a spark that has intensified the issue. It’s not new; it’s an ongoing crisis that affects many. Jhotta amplified the voices of the people and united them.”

Majithia also criticized Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, questioning the government’s claims of integrity and its strategies for tackling drug issues and maintaining law and order. “You keep putting up posters calling him an honest chief minister. You should be ashamed. You cannot control drugs or law and order, and there’s an ongoing CBI investigation into ‘cash-for-transfer’ allegations. What were your Officers on Special Duty (OSD) doing? Were they aiding gangsters?”

He further alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party has appointed members of wanted gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria’s family to positions in district councils and block committees in the Gurdaspur area. Responding to the ongoing controversy surrounding the Punjab government’s OSDs, Majithia claimed these appointments are linked to corruption and illegal activities.

“I have been trying to explain repeatedly that the case of Rajbir Ghuman and his OSDs should not be viewed in isolation. Which police officer will be deployed to promote illegal mining? Which officer will be assigned to show leniency on drug issues? This happens because money has changed hands,” he stated.

Majithia further asserted that illegal mining cannot operate without police collusion. He claimed that financial transactions reach senior officials, including Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and Deputy Commissioner (DC). He questioned why, despite repeated reports regarding mining issues and approvals, no actions have been taken thus far.