Anger mounts in Punjab after anti-drug crusader killed in broad daylight

An anti-drug crusader was shot dead on Tuesday at a local medical store in Punjab’s Mansa district, sparking widespread outrage and putting the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on the back foot over the State’s “deteriorating” law and order situation.

According to the police, Parvinder Singh Jhota was allegedly shot dead by a medical store owner when he confronted the latter for selling illegal addictive substances to a man.

Though he was rushed to hospital, doctors declared Jhota brought dead. The accused fled the spot soon after the incident and police teams have been formed to nab him.

The police said Jhota was recording the arguments on his mobile phone. In a purported video that surfaced online, Jhota could be heard saying that the medical store owner, Ashwani, had taken out his pistol.

Bathinda Range DIG Harjeet Singh said: “The police received information about the incident around 10.30 a.m. The accused appeared to have used a licensed weapon for committing the crime. His accomplice has been arrested. Efforts are on to apprehend Ashwani.”

Personal enmity

The DIG said the incident could stem from an old personal enmity between the two. “The case is being investigated thoroughly and the accused will be arrested within 24 hours,” Senior Superintendent of Police, Mansa, Vaibhav Choudhary said.