Parwinder Singh Jhota, a vocal campaigner against illegal drug sales in Mansa, bled out at Mansa Civil Hospital on Tuesday after a medical store owner opened fire on him. The shooting, captured in viral social media footage, occurred after a heated argument over the purchase of intoxicating capsules. Two other individuals sustained injuries in the blast and were admitted to the same hospital, according to local police reports.
The incident marks the sixth reported case of violence against individuals speaking out against Punjab’s drug epidemic in recent months. Jhota had gained prominence in 2023 for staging sting operations against shopkeepers selling banned substances to youth. His activism was not without legal friction; police registered assault cases against him and associates in July 2023, though he was later discharged from one such charge when the complainant dropped it. Critics argue that the state’s failure to protect these activists has created a chilling effect on public health reporting.
Mansa SSP Vaibhav Chaudhary confirmed the investigation, stating the accused would be in custody within 24 hours. He visited the injured parties at the hospital to assess the situation. The circulating video, while not independently verified, appears to show the shopkeeper firing multiple times during the confrontation. Police are currently reconstructing the timeline to determine if the incident was a premeditated threat or a sudden escalation of a verbal dispute.
This death underscores the dangerous environment faced by local watchdogs in Punjab. As the investigation proceeds, the police have promised strict action, but the community remains on edge. The next step involves the formal charging of the accused and a review of the broader safety protocols for activists documenting illegal drug trade operations in the region.