Parvinder Singh Jhota was shot dead during a live session on his Facebook account (Img: Still from the FB Live)
Mansa: An anti-drug activist was shot dead in broad daylight in Punjab’s Mansa on Tuesday after a confrontation with a medical store owner over the alleged sale of prohibited substances, police said.
The victim, identified as Parwinder Singh Jhota, was an active member of the anti-drug brigade and had been campaigning against drug abuse and the alleged illegal sale of intoxicating pills and synthetic drugs.
According to reports, Jhota met a man who had allegedly purchased synthetic drugs from a medical store. He took the man to the shop and questioned its owner about the alleged sale of prohibited substances.
An argument reportedly broke out during the confrontation, following which the shopkeeper allegedly pulled out a firearm and shot Jhota. The incident was captured on camera.
Jhota reportedly tried to escape after sustaining a bullet injury but collapsed a short distance away.
Jhota was rushed to Mansa Civil Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. The medical store owner, identified as Ashwani Kumar, allegedly fled the scene after the shooting.
Bathinda Deputy Inspector General of Police Harjit Singh said the police had identified the accused and were making efforts to arrest him.
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident and searching for the accused.
Jhota had long been raising his voice against drug abuse in Punjab. In recent months, he had also accused some medical stores of supplying intoxicating pills, synthetic drugs and other prohibited substances.
His killing has once again drawn attention to the challenges surrounding drug abuse and alleged illegal drug sales in the state. Further details are awaited as the police investigation progresses.
