Anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota shot dead in Punjab's Mansa
Synopsis
An anti-drug activist who had confronted alleged drug sellers at medical stores in Punjab's Mansa was shot dead — reportedly by one of those store owners. The daylight killing, with three bullets fired at close range, has exposed the unprotected vulnerability of grassroots anti-drug campaigners and handed the opposition Congress fresh ammunition against the AAP government's law-and-order record.
Key Takeaways
Parvinder Singh Jhota , an anti-drug activist, was shot dead in Mansa, Punjab , on 13 October 2026 .
He sustained three bullet wounds ; one pierced his liver, according to Mansa Civil Hospital SMO Dr Gurmail Singh .
A medical store owner allegedly opened fire on Jhota following tensions over his anti-drug campaign, per preliminary reports.
Jhota had reportedly helped several village panchayats pass anti-drug resolutions and was a known social media campaigner against prohibited capsule sales in Mansa.
Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring blamed the AAP government's 'failed law and order' and criticised Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann 's anti-drug drive.
Police action and the alleged shooter's status had not been officially confirmed at the time of publication.
Anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota was shot dead in Mansa, Punjab, on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, in a killing that has sharpened fears over the safety of those campaigning against drug abuse in the region. According to a preliminary report, a medical store owner allegedly opened fire on Jhota following escalating tensions over his anti-drug activities. The murder has set off political recriminations and heightened anxiety in the district.
How the attack unfolded
Mansa Civil Hospital Senior Medical Officer Dr Gurmail Singh confirmed that Jhota had sustained three bullet wounds fired at close range. 'One of the bullets had pierced Parvinder's liver, leading to his death,' Dr Singh told reporters. Details about the identity and current status of the alleged shooter, as well as any police action taken, had not been independently confirmed at the time of writing.
Who was Parvinder Singh Jhota
Jhota was associated with an anti-drug task force and had built a grassroots following — earning the informal name 'Jhota' on social media — for his campaign against the alleged sale of prohibited capsules at medical stores in Mansa and surrounding areas. He reportedly confronted individuals suspected of drug-related activities and mobilised local communities against the drug menace. His efforts had reportedly led several village panchayats to pass resolutions opposing drug abuse. Notably, his confrontational methods had also drawn controversy, and he was reportedly arrested in 2023 on what supporters described as false charges.
Political fallout
The killing triggered an immediate political response. Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring attacked the state government, writing on X: 'The daylight murder of Parvinder Singh Jhota is a direct result of the failed law and order and failed Yudh Nashean Virudh of the Bhagwant Mann govt.' Warring added that Jhota's initiatives had never received support from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, and recalled briefly meeting Jhota's father when the activist was arrested in 2023. 'His broad daylight murder exposes serious failures of the AAP Govt,' Warring said.
Wider context and community reaction
Punjab has long battled a severe drug abuse crisis, and anti-drug campaigners have periodically reported threats and intimidation. The reported killing has created tension in Mansa district. This comes amid the state government's flagship anti-drug drive, 'Yudh Nashean Virudh' (War Against Drugs), whose effectiveness critics have repeatedly questioned. The incident raises broader questions about whether grassroots activists operating outside official structures receive adequate state protection.
What happens next
Investigators are expected to establish the full sequence of events, the alleged shooter's role, and whether Jhota's anti-drug work was a direct motive. Punjab Police had not issued an official statement at the time of publication. The case is likely to intensify scrutiny of the AAP government's law-and-order record ahead of future electoral cycles.
Point of View
Making them easy targets for those with vested interests in the narcotics trade. The AAP government's 'Yudh Nashean Virudh' campaign has been heavy on optics but, critics argue, light on shielding civilian campaigners who fill the gaps left by enforcement. What the Congress has framed as a political failure is also a structural one — no state government has created a formal whistleblower or activist-protection mechanism for drug informants. Until it does, Jhota is unlikely to be the last name in this list.
NationPress
13 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Parvinder Singh Jhota and why was he targeted?
Parvinder Singh Jhota was a Punjab-based anti-drug activist associated with an anti-drug task force, known for campaigning against the alleged sale of prohibited capsules at medical stores in Mansa. According to a preliminary report, a medical store owner allegedly shot him following tensions linked to his anti-drug activities, though the full circumstances had not been independently confirmed at the time of writing.
How did Parvinder Singh Jhota die?
Jhota sustained three bullet wounds fired at close range. Mansa Civil Hospital SMO Dr Gurmail Singh confirmed that one bullet pierced his liver, which caused his death.
What has the Punjab government said about the killing?
The AAP-led Punjab government had not issued an official statement at the time of publication. Punjab Police's response and any arrests made were also unconfirmed.
What did Congress leader Amarinder Singh Raja Warring say?
Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, writing on X, called the killing 'a direct result of the failed law and order and failed Yudh Nashean Virudh' of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's government. He also said the AAP government had never supported Jhota's anti-drug initiatives and expressed condolences to the bereaved family.
What is the 'Yudh Nashean Virudh' campaign and is it working?
'Yudh Nashean Virudh' (War Against Drugs) is the AAP Punjab government's flagship anti-drug drive under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Critics, including the Congress, argue the campaign has failed to curb drug trafficking or protect activists at the grassroots level, pointing to Jhota's killing as evidence of its shortcomings.
