Mansa, October 13, 2026: Punjab anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota was shot dead at a medical store in Mansa during a confrontation with the shop owner over the alleged sale of intoxicating substances. Four people accompanying Jhota were also injured in the firing. The incident was captured during a Facebook Live broadcast, bringing renewed attention to Punjab’s drug problem and the risks faced by activists confronting suspected sellers.
Shooting Captured During Facebook Live
A live video of nearly six minutes, streamed from Jhota’s Facebook page, reportedly showed him and his associates arguing with the medical-store owner before gunshots were heard.
Jhota had frequently used social media livestreams to confront individuals he suspected of selling addictive or synthetic drugs. The footage is expected to form part of the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Jhota Was Known for Anti-Drug Campaigns
Jhota had campaigned for years against drug abuse and the alleged illegal sale of intoxicating substances in Mansa and neighbouring areas.
He was associated with an organisation called Force and had become a prominent local figure in Punjab’s anti-drug movement. His confrontational approach and use of social media had made his activities highly visible in the region.
Argument at Medical Store Preceded Firing
According to police accounts and reports of the video footage, Jhota confronted the shop owner over allegations that intoxicating substances were being sold from the premises.
The argument reportedly escalated before shots were fired. Police are investigating the sequence of events, the circumstances that led to the confrontation and whether the alleged drug-sale dispute was the primary motive behind the killing.
Three Bullet Injuries Proved Fatal
Doctors at Mansa Civil Hospital said Jhota sustained three bullet injuries—two in the abdomen and one in the thigh.
According to the hospital’s senior medical officer, one bullet pierced his liver, resulting in his death. The precise circumstances of the shooting remain under investigation.
Four Companions Also Injured
Four people accompanying Jhota sustained bullet injuries during the incident and were taken to hospital for treatment.
Media reports indicated that at least one of the injured was in serious condition. Investigators are expected to examine their statements, along with other available evidence, to establish what happened during the confrontation.
Police Make First Arrest
Punjab Police announced the first arrest in connection with the killing.
Bathinda Range DIG Harjeet Singh said preliminary findings suggested that an old personal enmity may also have played a role in the incident. This has broadened the investigation beyond the immediate dispute over alleged drug sales.
Police are continuing to examine the motive and the possible involvement of other individuals.
Previous Confrontation Between Jhota and the Accused
Media reports indicate that Jhota and the medical-store owner had a history of confrontation.
In 2023, Jhota had allegedly paraded the same shop owner publicly with a garland of shoes around his neck during an earlier anti-drug action. Investigators are examining whether the previous incident is relevant to the current case and the possible motive behind the shooting.
Chief Minister Orders High-Level Review
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann directed police to expedite the investigation and take action against those found responsible.
He also called for a high-level meeting involving senior police officials, including SSPs, as well as SDMs and DSPs across Punjab, to review the law-and-order situation and strengthen responses to serious crimes.
Opposition Criticises AAP Government
The killing triggered criticism from opposition parties, including the Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party and Shiromani Akali Dal.
Opposition leaders questioned the state government’s handling of law and order and the continuing drug problem in Punjab. They called for accountability and stronger action against illegal drug distribution networks.
Killing Raises Concerns Over Risks Faced by Activists
Jhota’s death has highlighted the potential dangers faced by activists who directly confront people suspected of illegal drug sales.
His use of livestreams to document such encounters made his campaigns highly visible. The fatal shooting has also raised questions about the safety of individuals conducting confrontational anti-drug activities and the need for effective law-enforcement responses to suspected illegal sales.
Punjab’s Drug Crisis Back in Focus
The killing has once again placed Punjab’s long-running struggle with drug addiction and illegal distribution networks at the centre of public discussion.
The investigation will focus on establishing the motive, tracing the weapon used, determining the roles of those involved and examining whether the alleged dispute over drug sales was the principal trigger.
As the probe continues, police findings will be crucial in clarifying the circumstances of Jhota’s death and bringing those responsible to justice.
Sources – The Indian Express, The Tribune, The New Indian Express
Supreme News Network
