Anti-drug activist Jhota’s killing sparks outrage in Mansa; CM Mann vows strict action
An anti-drug activist, Parvinder Singh alias Jhota, was shot dead by a medical store owner in Mansa, Punjab, sparking widespread outrage. Mobs subsequently vandalized and set ablaze the accused's shop, while authorities demolished a portion of his house for unauthorized construction. The Chief Minister has vowed strict action, and the accused has been arrested.
Why it matters
This incident highlights the intense public anger against drug abuse and illegal drug sales in Punjab, demonstrating the challenges authorities face in maintaining law and order amidst strong community reactions to such crimes.
Anger against the medical store owner accused of killing anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh alias Jhota spilt onto the streets of Punjab’s Mansa town on Wednesday (October 14, 2026), with authorities razing a portion of his house and mobs setting ablaze his shop nearby to slogans and loud cheers.
Dramatic scenes unfolded in the area as an excavator razed the front portion of accused Ashwani Kumar's house located in an alley in Veer Nagar.
People could be seen climbing the boundary walls of the nearby houses to catch a glimpse of the demolition, which, according to police, followed information about unauthorised construction on the premises.
The bulldozer action was also initiated at Mr. Kumar’s store located about 700 metres from the house, before angry mobs, including some 'Nihangs', ripped it apart amid heavy police presence, with a large crowd filming the act.
Also covering this story
2 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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