Anti-drug activist shot dead by medical store owner in Punjab's Mansa

An anti-drug activist named Parvinder Singh was shot and killed by a medical store owner in Punjab's Mansa district. The incident occurred while the activist was recording an argument regarding the illegal sale of addictive drugs at the shop.
Why it matters
This highlights the dangerous environment faced by grassroots activists challenging the illegal narcotics trade in India.
An anti-drug activist, who was known for exposing the illegal sale of addictive drugs at chemist shops, died after being shot at by a medical store owner in Punjab's Mansa district on Tuesday (October 13, 2026), police said.
The activist, Parvinder Singh alias Jhota, was questioning the medical store owner over the sale of certain drugs to a man, and also recording the argument on his mobile phone, when he was shot at.
In the video, Jhota could be heard saying that the medical store owner had taken out his pistol. The man then allegedly opened fire at Jhota, which was recorded in the video.
Jhota was rushed to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries, police said.
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