The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Tuesday, 13 October declared that anti-drug and social activists face the gravest threat to their lives in Punjab, citing the killing of Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa town as stark evidence of a deteriorating law-and-order situation under the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

The Mansa Killing That Sparked the Outcry

Parvinder Singh Jhota, described as a prominent anti-drug crusader who was actively working against narcotics networks in the Mansa area, was shot dead in what SAD termed a 'cold-blooded murder.' According to SAD chief spokesman Arshdeep Singh Kler, the shooter allegedly called a contact before opening fire — a detail the party said points to premeditated, organised intent.

Kler alleged that Mansa AAP MLA Vijay Singla was among those who patronised the drug mafia responsible for such violence. The spokesperson added that SAD would stand firmly with Jhota's family and press for justice in the case.

SAD's Allegations Against the AAP Government

Kler charged that the Mann government was focused exclusively on protecting its own political leaders — who, he alleged, have been provided with heavy security details — while ordinary citizens and anti-drug workers were left vulnerable. He went further, claiming it was an 'established truth' that AAP leaders were patronising the drug mafia and that the ruling party was using money earned through drug networks. These are allegations; the AAP government has not, according to available reports, responded to these specific charges.

Senior SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia echoed the attack, alleging that Chief Minister Mann was more focused on serving his political patrons in Delhi than governing Punjab. Majithia claimed law and order had collapsed across the state, pointing to extortion demands, bomb blasts at police stations in border areas, and recurring attacks on police establishments.

Police Personnel Also Targeted, Says SAD

Majithia claimed that approximately six Assistant Sub-Inspectors (ASIs) had been killed so far, alleging that police personnel who took a stand against drug traffickers and organised criminals were being systematically targeted. He said brave officers were being murdered for doing their duty, while citizens opposing drug sellers faced similar lethal consequences.

Notably, this is not the first time SAD has raised the issue of anti-drug activists facing violence in Punjab. The party has repeatedly accused the AAP administration of failing to dismantle narcotics networks, and the latest killing has sharpened that political attack ahead of what observers expect to be an escalating opposition campaign.

Mann Called Out as Home Minister

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who also holds the Home Ministry portfolio, was directly accused by Majithia of 'completely failing' to maintain law and order in the state. The SAD leader's remarks underline a broader opposition argument: that combining the Chief Minister and Home Minister roles in one person creates a dangerous accountability gap when internal security falters.

With Punjab's drug menace and associated violence continuing to draw national attention, the political pressure on the Mann administration over law and order is set to intensify in the days ahead.