- Another man hacked to death opposing drug sales.
- Follows anti-drug activist Parvinder Jhota's murder.
- Statewide bandh and government drug crackdown intensified.
Punjab is boiling over with back-to-back killings, but the people's anger shows no sign of subsiding anytime soon, as another man was hacked to death in Punjab's Sri Hargobindpur for allegedly opposing the sale of drugs. The incident occurred just two days after anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota was shot dead, leaving the state tense and prompting calls for a Punjab bandh.
The 40-year-old victim was identified as Bikramjit Singh, and two others were attacked with a sharp weapon after objecting to the sale of narcotics in Pannawan village. While Singh died on the spot, the other two individuals sustained serious injuries.
This follows the fatal shooting of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota on Tuesday after he confronted Ashwani Kumar, the owner of a medical store, over the alleged sale of drugs to an elderly man.
Jhota was conducting a sting operation at the store when a heated exchange ensued. The owner allegedly opened fire, and the incident was captured on camera. Jhota was rushed to Mansa Civil Hospital, where he was declared dead.
Jhota was widely known for speaking out against drug abuse and the alleged illegal sale of intoxicating and synthetic drugs, along with other prohibited substances, at chemist shops. The accused owner, Ashwani Kumar, was arrested in Salasar, Rajasthan, on Wednesday.
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On Thursday, Jhota’s father, Bhim Singh, called for a statewide bandh with the support of the Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal, BJP, Akali Dal Waris Punjab De, Samyukta Kisan Morcha, various farmer unions, and state government employee bodies.
Shops, markets, and private schools across several districts in Punjab remained closed on Thursday during the statewide bandh called to protest Jhota's killing.
In response to and to combat ongoing drug trafficking, the Bhagwant Mann government has intensified its crackdown on violations of drug laws, with the Drugs Wing of the Food and Drugs Administration conducting 16,788 inspections.
Medicines worth Rs 20.64 crore were seized from 214 licensed and unlicensed firms. Additionally, the licenses of 520 chemists were suspended and those of 22 chemists were cancelled for violations of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and the Drugs Rules, 1945, following inspections conducted between April 1, 2025, and September 30, 2026.
According to Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Balbir Singh, regular inspections are being carried out to strengthen enforcement and curb the misuse of medicines.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated on Friday that the Centre will seek the Punjab government's response regarding two incidents in the state, a father consuming poison under pressure in Dirba and the broad-daylight killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa.
In a post on X, Shah noted that Punjab is currently grappling with a rising threat of drugs, gangsterism, and organized crime, and asked Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann who will ultimately bear the responsibility for the safety of Punjab's residents.
"In Dirba, a father succumbing to pressure and consuming poison, and in Mansa, the broad-daylight murder of Parvinder Singh Jhota -- who had raised his voice against drugs -- have raised serious questions about the law and order situation in Punjab," Shah wrote.
Jhota''s father has leveled grave allegations against the ruling Aam Aadmi Party government and their MLA, Shah added.
The Home Ministry will seek formal responses from the Punjab government regarding both incidents.