Anti-drug activist’s murder: Markets, private schools closed in many places after ‘Punjab Bandh’ call

Bhim Singh, father of anti-drug activist Parminder Singh Jhota, who was shot dead, addressed a press conference on his son’s murder case in Mansa on Wednesday. | Photo credit: ANI

Markets in many places remained closed and private schools in several districts were closed in Punjab on Thursday (Oct 15, 2026) due to bandhs called over the killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota.

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Jhota’s family called a “Punjab Bandh” with the support of political parties including the Congress, Akali Dal, BJP and Akali Dal Waris Punjab De; the farmers’ body Samyukta Kisan Morcha and other farmers’ unions; and civil service unions.

Jhota, known for raising his voice against drug abuse and the illegal sale of addictive substances in pharmacies, was shot dead in broad daylight on Tuesday (October 13) in a busy market in the town of Mansa.

Ashwani Kumar, the health shop owner who allegedly opened fire on Jhota, was taken into custody from Rajasthan’s Salasar on Wednesday.

After the bandh call, shops and markets remained closed at several places including Hoshiarpur, Ferozepur and Mansa. However, emergency services remained in operation.

Many private schools in Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Moga and Mansa have declared holidays in view of the closure call.

Various farmer groups have extended support for the bandh.

In Amritsar, the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee staged a demonstration against the ruling Aam Aadmi Party government on Thursday morning.

The protesters, led by farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher, accused the Bhagwant Mann-led government of failing to check the drug menace and burnt an effigy of the chief minister at the Golden Gate in Amritsar.

Mr Pandher demanded that Mr Mann and Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav resign on moral grounds.

Jhota’s father Bhim Singh urged everyone to support the October 15 bandh call.

A joint action committee comprising various organizations and social activists formed after Jhota’s murder demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Mann and DGP Yadav and the dismissal of Senior Superintendent of Police Mansa, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Station House Officer and Drug Inspector.

They are also demanding a CBI probe into the matter.

The murder, which occurred while Jhota was hosting a Facebook Live while questioning a health shop owner for selling drugs to an elderly man, has sparked a political uproar in Punjab, which goes to the polls early next year.

Chief Minister Mann promised the strictest punishment for the accused, even as opposition leaders alleged that law and order had completely broken down amid the “jungle paradise” in the state.

Mann reiterated his government’s zero-tolerance policy on drug trafficking and appealed to people to keep the peace. He said that anyone found conspiring in the matter would not be spared.

Published – 15 Oct 2026 11:55 IST