MANSA, Nov 8: Anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota was cremated at his fields on Chakerian Road here on Sunday, 26 days after he was shot dead in the town. The last rites were held after a post-mortem examination at PGIMER, Chandigarh, and the end of a protest by his family and supporters.

A large number of people gathered at Jhota's home to pay their respects before the cremation. His father, Bhim Singh, lit the funeral pyre along with his two grandsons. Jhota's wife and mother were also present.

At a glance

  • Jhota was shot dead at a medical store in Mansa on October 13 while hosting a Facebook Live session.
  • The Punjab government had handed the investigation into his death to the CBI following the family's demand for a central probe.
  • The family and the Parminder Singh Jhota Insaaf Action Committee ended their agitation after talks with state government representatives.
  • The government agreed to provide compensation to four injured persons, set up a trauma centre in Jhota's name and install his statue.

What happened

Jhota's body was brought to Mansa from PGIMER, Chandigarh, after the post-mortem examination on Saturday. It was taken to the protest site and his residence before being taken to the cremation ground.

People gathered at several places along the route and offered prayers. Supporters raised slogans in Jhota's memory and pledged to continue his campaign against drugs. Several youngsters said village-level committees would be formed for the purpose. Police deployed a large force across Mansa district for the funeral.

Jhota was killed in broad daylight at a medical store in a busy Mansa market on October 13. He had confronted the store owner over the alleged sale of addictive drugs to an elderly man while streaming the episode live on Facebook. The store owner allegedly fired at him and was subsequently arrested.

The protest near the deputy commissioner's residence, which began on the day of the killing, concluded on Sunday. Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) leaders, including MLA Manpreet Ayali, Tarsem Khalsa and Iqbal Jhundan, attended the cremation.

Who said what

Bhim Singh called upon Punjab's youth to pledge against drug abuse, saying his son had given his life while fighting the menace. He thanked the joint action committee for standing by the family during its struggle.

He reiterated the demand for the transfer of Mansa Senior Superintendent of Police Vaibhav Chaudhary. Bhim Singh blamed the officer for Jhota's killing and objected to cases registered against youngsters who took part in the protests. He ended his indefinite fast over the demand on Sunday.

The joint action committee, formally known as the Parminder Singh Jhota Insaaf Action Committee, had sought the resignations of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav. The committee comprised social organisations and activists who joined the family in seeking justice for Jhota and action against drug trafficking.

The state government had earlier suspended a station house officer, a deputy superintendent of police and a drug inspector in connection with the case. It also accepted the family's demand for compensation for four injured persons, a trauma centre in Jhota's name and a statue at a park or stadium.

Background

Jhota's killing triggered protests and a political row in Punjab, where Assembly elections are due early next year. His family and the action committee had refused to allow a post-mortem examination and continued their sit-in for 22 days.

Jhota's body was moved from the Civil Hospital mortuary in Mansa to PGIMER in the early hours of November 6 after the family agreed to the examination following talks with government representatives on November 4.

Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan and Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian took part in the discussions. Two committee members, Lakhvir Singh and Mohanjit Singh Sheron, who were arrested during the protest on October 28, were released from Nabha district jail on November 5.

Why it matters for Assam and the Northeast

The case has renewed attention on drug trafficking and addiction, issues that affect several states beyond Punjab, including those in the Northeast. Jhota's death and the prolonged protest also turned the focus on demands for accountability by the police and action against the drug trade.

Opposition parties criticised the AAP government over the alleged drug menace in Punjab. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress leader Sachin Pilot, Punjab Congress chief Pargat Singh, SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal and Punjab BJP chief Kewal Singh Dhillon had visited the family.

What next

The CBI is to investigate Jhota's death. The Punjab government is to act on its assurances on compensation, the proposed trauma centre and the installation of a statue.