Former Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ravneet Singh Bittu was detained by Punjab Police on Tuesday, 13 October when he arrived at the Civil Hospital in Mansa town to enquire about those injured in a shooting that left anti-drug activist Parvinder Jhota dead. The detention has drawn sharp political attention to the law and order situation in Punjab under the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government.

What Happened in Mansa

Anti-drug activist Parvinder Jhota, who had reportedly spoken out openly against drug trafficking and declared what sources describe as a personal campaign against drug smugglers, was shot dead in the incident. Several others were injured. When Bittu visited the Civil Hospital to meet the injured, police detained him before he could complete his visit. No official reason for the detention was immediately given.

Bittu Holds AAP Government Accountable

Expressing shock and anguish, Bittu held the state government responsible for what he called a failure to protect ordinary citizens. He questioned why adequate security had not been provided to Jhota despite the threats associated with his anti-drug campaign. 'If complaints about the open sale of drugs were repeatedly being raised, why was the administration unable to take effective action? Where was the enforcement machinery when people were openly drawing attention to this menace? The government must explain why adequate protection was not provided despite the threats faced by those speaking against drug trafficking,' Bittu said.

One Drug Inspector for Three Districts

Bittu also raised concerns about what he described as critically inadequate enforcement infrastructure. He expressed surprise at reports suggesting there is only one drug inspector covering three districts in the region. He questioned how the government intended to tackle the drug menace effectively under such staffing constraints, and demanded accountability from both the Health Department and the Health Minister.

Bittu Challenges Police's Early Conclusion

The former Union Minister also took issue with police reports suggesting the shooting was rooted in personal enmity — a conclusion he said was reached before any thorough investigation had been carried out. 'How can the police reach a conclusion about personal enmity without a fair and comprehensive investigation? Every possible angle must be examined, including whether the incident has any connection with the drug trade. The investigation must be impartial, evidence-based and free from political pressure,' he added. This comes amid a broader pattern of opposition criticism targeting the AAP government's handling of Punjab's persistent drug problem — an issue that has haunted successive state administrations for years.

Political and Law-and-Order Context

Punjab has long grappled with drug trafficking networks, and anti-drug activists operating at the grassroots level have previously reported threats to their safety. Jhota's killing, if found to be linked to his activism, would mark a serious escalation. The AAP government, which came to power in 2022 with a strong anti-drug mandate, has faced persistent criticism over the pace and effectiveness of its enforcement actions. Bittu's detention adds a political dimension to what is already a sensitive law-and-order episode, and is likely to intensify opposition pressure on the Mann administration in the days ahead.