Punjab has been battling the drug menace for years, and now the battle has turned deadly after anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota was shot dead in broad daylight in Mansa on Tuesday, October 13. The killing occurred during a confrontation with a medical store owner whom Jhota had accused of allegedly selling drugs illegally. The incident was captured during a Facebook Live broadcast.
Breaking: Anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota was reportedly shot dead in Mansa this morning by a medical store owner. Jhota had reportedly visited the medical store over allegations that the owner was selling intoxicating capsules. https://t.co/cGXZT3KoWF— Gagandeep Singh (@Gagan4344) October 13, 2026
Jhota was known for campaigning against drug abuse and exposing the alleged illegal sale of drugs through chemist shops. According to reports, he visited the store with some companions and questioned its owner about medicines sold to a customer earlier that morning.
An argument soon escalated. Video footage reportedly shows the shop owner holding a pistol before opening fire at Jhota. The activist sustained multiple bullet injuries and was declared dead at a hospital. His companions were also injured in the shooting, with reports differing on the number of people wounded. The accused reportedly fled the scene, and police launched efforts to arrest him.
The killing has raised serious questions about the safety of people challenging the illegal drug trade. It has also triggered political criticism of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government, with opposition leaders questioning the state’s law-and-order situation and the effectiveness of its anti-drug campaign.
Punjab has struggled for years with drug addiction and the social damage it causes, particularly among young people and their families. While the illegal sale of addictive medicines is a matter for law-enforcement agencies and drug regulators, activists who expose suspected wrongdoing should not have to fear violent retaliation.
The immediate priority is to arrest the accused, conduct a fair investigation and establish the facts behind the killing. Authorities must also examine allegations of illegal drug sales and ensure that anyone involved faces the law.
Jhota’s death is a grim reminder that tackling Punjab’s drug problem requires more than political slogans and public campaigns. It demands effective policing, strict enforcement and protection for those willing to speak out against the menace.
