The main accused in the murder of Punjab-based anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota has been arrested in Salasar, Rajasthan, police confirmed on Tuesday night, marking a major breakthrough in a case that has gripped the state and sparked protests in Mansa town. The arrest came within hours of the killing, which was livestreamed on Facebook and drew widespread outrage.

The Arrest and Recovery

The accused, Ashwani Kumar, a medical store owner, was apprehended late Tuesday night in Salasar, Rajasthan, according to a senior police officer. Authorities also recovered the pistol allegedly used in the crime. A second individual, suspected of helping Kumar flee the crime scene, has also been apprehended, police said.

What Happened in Mansa

Jhota was shot dead in broad daylight on Tuesday after a confrontation at a medical store over the alleged sale of addictive substances. According to police, Jhota had allegedly caught Kumar selling drugs to an elderly man, which escalated into a heated argument. The accused allegedly opened fire during the altercation. Crucially, the incident unfolded during Jhota's Facebook Live session, and the footage spread rapidly online, amplifying public fury.

Notably, this was not the first clash between the two men. Jhota had previously confronted the same chemist in 2023 over similar allegations, reportedly sparking a prolonged dispute. Police have indicated that personal enmity is among the motives under investigation.

Protests and Tension in Mansa

The killing triggered immediate protests. Jhota's family and supporters reportedly refused to cremate his body until their demands for swift justice were met. Additional police personnel were deployed across parts of Mansa as tension prevailed. Reports indicate that the accused's medical store was vandalised amid the protests.

Political Reaction

The incident has reignited a sharp political debate over Punjab's drug crisis. Former state Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said the people are worried that Punjab 'is sinking deeper into the drug menace, which has claimed countless young lives. Successive governments have made promises to eradicate drugs, but little has changed.' He told the media that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had promised to eliminate drugs within one-and-a-half months, and that the Yudh Nashean Virudh campaign was launched with 'much publicity, and crores of rupees were spent, but it was merely a show that fooled the people.'

The Activist and the Wider Concern

Jhota was known for publicly confronting individuals he suspected of selling prohibited or addictive substances, regularly documenting such confrontations on social media. His killing has renewed urgent concerns about the safety of activists challenging the drug trade in Punjab — a state that has long wrestled with a narcotics crisis. With the accused in custody and the weapon recovered, pressure now mounts on authorities to ensure a swift and transparent prosecution.