Anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota shot dead in Mansa; BJP demands CM Mann's resignation
Synopsis
An anti-drug activist was allegedly shot dead in broad daylight in Mansa, Punjab, by a medical store owner — a killing that has triggered BJP demands for Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's immediate resignation. The BJP says it is part of a pattern of violence against those opposing Punjab's drug trade, and that the AAP government has allowed the menace to spiral out of control.
Key Takeaways
Anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota was allegedly shot dead by a medical store owner in Mansa town , Punjab.
Jhota was a member of an anti-drug task force who had actively confronted suspected drug sellers and mobilised communities.
Punjab BJP President Kewal Singh Dhillon demanded Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's immediate resignation over the incident.
Dhillon alleged drugs are being sold openly in Punjab and that fear of the law has vanished under the AAP government.
The BJP referenced a similar past incident involving Gulzar Singh , calling the pattern of violence against drug opponents deeply alarming.
Anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota was allegedly shot dead in Mansa town, Punjab, by a medical store owner on Tuesday, triggering sharp political fallout. The killing has drawn fierce criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is demanding the immediate resignation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the arrest of all those responsible.
What Happened in Mansa
According to a preliminary report, the medical store owner allegedly opened fire on Jhota following tensions rooted in the activist's sustained campaign against drug trafficking. Jhota was associated with an anti-drug task force and had been actively mobilising local communities to oppose the drug menace. He had reportedly confronted individuals suspected of selling addictive substances, which is believed to have made him a target.
BJP's Broadside Against the Mann Government
Punjab BJP President Kewal Singh Dhillon launched a blistering attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) administration, accusing it of presiding over a complete breakdown of law and order. 'What is happening in Punjab, where murders are taking place almost every day and people raising their voices against drugs are being shot dead in broad daylight?' Dhillon said in a statement. He demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible for Jhota's murder and called on Chief Minister Mann to resign forthwith, saying Mann had 'failed to govern Punjab.'
A Pattern of Violence Against Drug Opponents
Dhillon also referenced a past incident involving a Gulzar Singh, arguing that the killing of Jhota was not an isolated event but part of a disturbing pattern of violence targeting those who oppose the drug trade. He alleged that drugs were being sold openly across the state and that fear of the law had disappeared among criminals. 'People who raised their voices against the drug trade are being forced to pay with their lives,' he said, describing the current administration as 'the most incompetent government in Punjab's history.'
Why This Matters for Punjab
Punjab has long grappled with a severe drug crisis, and anti-drug activists have occupied a frontline role in community-level resistance. The alleged killing of Jhota — reportedly in broad daylight — raises serious questions about the safety of civil society workers who take on vested drug interests. Dhillon questioned who would be responsible for the safety of ordinary citizens if those fighting the drug trade could not count on state protection. The incident comes amid an ongoing political battle between the ruling AAP and the opposition BJP over Punjab's governance record.
What Happens Next
The BJP has demanded swift action from the state government, including the arrest of the accused medical store owner. The opposition's calls for Mann's resignation are unlikely to be immediately heeded, but the killing is expected to intensify pressure on the government to demonstrate decisive action against both drug networks and the perpetrators of this crime. The case is expected to draw further scrutiny in the coming days.
Point of View
But why networks capable of targeting anti-drug workers in broad daylight continue to operate with apparent impunity.
NationPress
13 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Parvinder Singh Jhota?
Parvinder Singh Jhota was an anti-drug activist in Mansa, Punjab, associated with a local anti-drug task force. He had been campaigning against drug trafficking, confronting suspected drug sellers, and mobilising communities to resist the drug menace.
How was Parvinder Singh Jhota killed?
According to a preliminary report, a medical store owner allegedly opened fire on Jhota following tensions stemming from the activist's anti-drug activities. The incident reportedly occurred in Mansa town.
Why is the BJP demanding Bhagwant Mann's resignation?
Punjab BJP President Kewal Singh Dhillon has accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of presiding over a collapse in law and order, alleging that drugs are sold openly in the state and that people fighting the drug trade are being killed with impunity. He called the AAP administration the most incompetent in Punjab's history.
Is this the first such incident involving anti-drug activists in Punjab?
According to BJP's Kewal Singh Dhillon, this is not an isolated case. He referenced a past incident involving a Gulzar Singh as evidence of a broader, troubling pattern of violence targeting those who oppose Punjab's drug networks.
What action has been demanded following the killing?
The BJP has demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible for Jhota's murder and called on Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to resign. The party has also asked the state government to provide assurances for the safety of anti-drug activists.
