- Anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota allegedly shot dead in Mansa.
- The confrontation over suspected drug sales was partly recorded on Facebook Live.
- The medical store owner reportedly fled after the shooting.
- Jhota had campaigned against drug abuse and alleged illegal medicine sales for years.
GG News Bureau
Mansa, 13th Oct: Anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota was allegedly shot dead by a medical store owner in Punjab’s Mansa district on Tuesday after confronting him over the suspected sale of intoxicating substances. The incident, captured partly during a Facebook Live session, has renewed concerns over drug abuse and the alleged illegal sale of addictive medicines in the state.
Jhota, who had built a following through videos highlighting alleged drug sales at chemist shops, was seen questioning the shopkeeper outside his store. In the video, which lasted around five minutes, Jhota stood beside an elderly man who allegedly claimed to have purchased drugs from the shop. The confrontation soon escalated into a heated argument.
During the exchange, the shopkeeper was seen holding a pistol. Jhota repeatedly challenged him, asking why he was carrying a firearm and urging his associates to call the police and bring more people to the spot. He also demanded that the shopkeeper show the store’s CCTV footage, while claiming that they had a recording related to the alleged sale.
The argument continued for several minutes before the shopkeeper allegedly opened fire, killing Jhota. His mobile phone fell to the ground, bringing the live recording to an end. According to the information provided, the accused shop owner fled the scene. Further details about the police investigation and any formal confirmation of the allegations were not available in the supplied account.
Jhota had been active in Mansa and neighbouring areas for several years, campaigning against drug abuse and raising allegations of illegal sales of intoxicating substances through medical stores. His videos of confrontations with shopkeepers frequently circulated on social media, and his Facebook account had more than 24,000 followers.
He first came into wider public attention in 2023 following a dispute involving a medical store owner. On July 12 that year, a confrontation reportedly took place between Jhota and his supporters and a shopkeeper. Police registered cases against Jhota and some associates on allegations including assault, trespass and rioting. He was arrested in July and released around two months later.
The latest killing has brought renewed attention to Punjab’s continuing concerns over drug abuse and the alleged unlawful sale of addictive substances. The circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the allegations made during the live broadcast, will need to be established through the police investigation.
