A medical store owner in Mansa, Punjab, opened fire on anti‑drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota on Tuesday, killing him during a confrontation over alleged drug sales.
The gunman, holding a pistol, was recorded in a five‑minute Facebook live that showed Jhota accusing the shopkeeper of selling addictive drugs, with the owner repeatedly demanding the activist be killed.
Jhota, a former farmer who rose to prominence in 2023 after a dispute with a chemist, had built a following of over 24,000 on Facebook and had been arrested earlier that year on assault and trespassing charges.
Punjab Police say the shop owner is on the run and that an investigation into the shooting has been launched. Authorities are expected to file criminal charges and may seek a court hearing within the next week.
The incident has reignited debate over illegal drug sales in poll‑bound Punjab, with opposition parties calling for stricter enforcement. Residents of Mansa have expressed fear that drug‑related violence could destabilise the town.