Punjab bandh Thursday over Parvinder Singh Jhota killing, CBI probe demanded
Synopsis
An anti-drug activist was shot dead on camera in Mansa, Punjab — and the fallout has united religious, political and agrarian voices in a statewide bandh. With the SGPC shuttering its institutions, the Congress and SAD backing the shutdown, and protesters blocking last rites until a CBI probe is ordered, this is the sharpest political crisis the AAP government has faced over its flagship anti-drug promise.
Key Takeaways
Parvinder Singh Jhota , 45 , was shot dead on Tuesday at a medical store in Mansa while confronting the owner over alleged drug sales — the confrontation was livestreamed on Facebook.
A statewide Punjab bandh has been called for Thursday from 6 am to 5 pm , backed by the SGPC , SAD , Congress and farmer unions.
The joint action committee demands a CBI probe , the resignation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann , and removal of DGP Gaurav Yadav .
The victim's family alleges the FIR was filed nearly 30 hours after the killing, citing serious police lapses.
Four of Jhota's aides were also injured; the accused Ashwani Kumar was arrested in Rajasthan .
CM Mann condemned the murder and confirmed the main accused was arrested within 24 hours , vowing strict action against drug peddlers.
A statewide shutdown has been called across Punjab on Thursday, 16 October 2026, following the killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, with the bandh backed by major religious, political and farmers' bodies — including the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), the Indian National Congress, and several farmer unions. The shutdown, from 6 am to 5 pm, is expected to disrupt daily life, transport and commerce across the state.
How Jhota Was Killed
Parvinder Singh Jhota, 45, was shot dead on Tuesday at a medical store in Mansa while confronting the shop's owner, Ashwani Kumar, over the alleged sale of drugs. The confrontation was being livestreamed on Facebook at the time of the shooting. Four of Jhota's associates were also injured in the firing. The accused was subsequently arrested in Rajasthan.
Key Demands of the Joint Action Committee
A joint action committee formed in the aftermath of the killing has spearheaded the shutdown call. The committee has demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the murder, the resignation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, and the removal of Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav. It has also sought a post-mortem examination by a panel from the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh.
Protesters at Jhota's hometown Mansa have said they will not permit his last rites until their demands are met. The victim's family has expressed anger over the delay in filing the first information report (FIR), which they allege was registered nearly 30 hours after the incident, calling it a serious lapse by the police.
Religious and Political Backing Widens Pressure
The SGPC has announced that its offices and institutions will remain closed on Thursday in solidarity with the bandh. SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami expressed solidarity with the campaign against drugs and with Jhota's bereaved family. The backing from the SGPC — the apex body overseeing Sikh shrines — gives the protest significant religious weight beyond its political dimensions.
Opposition parties have used the incident to sharpen criticism of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led state government's anti-drug record, questioning both the effectiveness of its campaign and the state of law and order in Punjab. This is the latest in a series of incidents that have tested the AAP government's credibility on the drug menace — an issue that was central to its 2022 electoral promise.
Government Response
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann condemned the murder and stated that the main accused had been arrested within 24 hours. 'The Punjab Police will leave no stone unturned in investigating the case, and exemplary punishment will be ensured for the culprits,' Mann said in an official statement. He added that no drug peddler, regardless of influence or power, would be spared, and that protecting Punjab's youth from the drug menace remained a top priority.
Police have stepped up security in Mansa and surrounding areas amid fears of further demonstrations. With statewide participation anticipated and major institutional support confirmed, Thursday's bandh is set to be one of the most significant public expressions of anger over Punjab's drug crisis in recent years.
Point of View
If verified, suggests either institutional inertia or worse — and the fact that the SGPC, an institution that transcends party lines, has backed the bandh signals that this cannot be managed as routine political opposition. Whether Mann weathers this depends on whether a CBI probe is conceded quickly, and whether it is perceived as genuine accountability or deflection.
NationPress
14 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Parvinder Singh Jhota and how was he killed?
Parvinder Singh Jhota, 45, was an anti-drug activist from Mansa, Punjab, who was shot dead on Tuesday while confronting the owner of a medical store over the alleged sale of drugs. The confrontation was being livestreamed on Facebook when the shooting occurred, and four of his aides were also injured.
Why has a Punjab bandh been called on Thursday?
A joint action committee formed after Jhota's killing called the statewide shutdown to demand accountability, including a CBI probe into the murder. The bandh runs from 6 am to 5 pm and has been backed by the SGPC, SAD, Congress and farmer unions.
What are the demands of the joint action committee?
The committee has demanded a CBI investigation into the killing, the resignation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the removal of DGP Gaurav Yadav, and a post-mortem examination by a panel from PGIMER, Chandigarh. Protesters in Mansa have also said they will not permit the victim's last rites until these demands are met.
What has Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said about the incident?
CM Mann condemned the murder and stated that the main accused was arrested within 24 hours. He said the Punjab Police would leave no stone unturned in investigating the case and vowed exemplary punishment for those responsible, adding that no drug peddler would be spared.
Why is the victim's family angry with the police?
The family alleges that the FIR was registered nearly 30 hours after the killing and has cited serious lapses in police conduct both during and after the incident. The delay has become a focal point of the protest and one of the key grievances driving demands for a CBI probe.
