The mortal remains of slain anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota were consigned to flames at his native place in Mansa, Punjab, on Sunday, November 8, amid a large gathering of supporters who paid their last respects with flower petals and slogans demanding justice.
Jhota's body was brought from the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh to Mansa after a post-mortem examination on Saturday. His last rites were performed at the family's agricultural fields on Chakerian Road, following a procession through the town.
A large number of people gathered at his residence and the protest site to pay their respects. Supporters raised slogans of "Parvinder Jhota Amar Rahe" (Long live Parvinder Jhota) as his mortal remains were brought home.
Jhota was shot dead on October 13 inside a medical store in a crowded marketplace in Mansa while livestreaming a confrontation with the shop owner over the alleged sale of addictive drugs to an elderly man. The incident also left four people injured. Police arrested the store owner, Ashwani Kumar, and three others within 24 hours of the killing.
Family demands justice, father appeals to Punjab's youth
Speaking to reporters during the last rites, Jhota's father, Bhim Singh, urged the youth of Punjab to stay away from drugs and continue his son's fight against substance abuse.
He also thanked the Joint Action Committee (JAC), a coalition of social organisations and activists formed after the killing, for supporting the family throughout its protest.
However, Bhim Singh alleged that political leaders and police officials were involved in a conspiracy behind his son's murder. He demanded a thorough investigation and the immediate transfer of the local Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), accusing political leaders associated with the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of shielding police officials.
The family has maintained that those allegedly responsible for the killing and the wider drug network must be brought to justice.
A family member described Jhota as a warrior who had sacrificed his life fighting drug abuse, while relatives said the title of martyr conferred on him by Sri Akal Takht Sahib was being honoured through the floral tributes.
Weeks-long protest before post-mortem
Jhota's body had remained at the mortuary of Mansa Civil Hospital after the family refused to permit a post-mortem examination, demanding action over the killing and accountability from the state government.
The family and JAC members staged a protest for 22 days, pressing for the resignation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav.
The standoff ended after a meeting between protesters and Punjab government representatives on November 4. The family subsequently agreed to the post-mortem examination, which was conducted at PGIMER in Chandigarh.
Two JAC members, Lakhvir Singh and Mohanjit Singh Sheron, who had been arrested during the protest on October 28, were released from Nabha district jail on November 5 following the discussions.
The Punjab government also agreed to several demands raised by the family, including setting up a trauma centre in Jhota's name, providing compensation to the four injured people and installing his statue at a park or stadium.
CBI probe and political fallout
The killing triggered a political confrontation in Punjab, with opposition parties targeting the AAP government over the state's drug problem and its handling of the case.
Several political leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress leader Sachin Pilot, Punjab Congress chief Pargat Singh, Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal and Punjab BJP chief Kewal Singh Dhillon, visited Jhota's family.
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 handed over the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) following the family's demand.
The CBI has re-registered the murder case and initiated a detailed investigation into the killing.
Punjab is due to hold Assembly elections early next year, and the incident has added to the political debate over drug trafficking and the government's efforts to tackle substance abuse in the state.
As Jhota's last rites were performed, his family renewed its appeal to the youth to stay away from drugs and carry forward his campaign against the menace.
(With agency inputs from ANI and PTI)
