Justice Committee Announces Gherao of AAP MLAs’ and Ministers’ Residences Across Punjab on October 19

Chandigarh, 17 October (H.S.): Political tensions have escalated in Punjab following the killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa. On Saturday, Jhota’s family and the protest committee refused to take custody of his body during a meeting with the administration, stating that their five demands had not yet been accepted.

Late Friday night, Punjab Congress in-charge Sachin Pilot and Punjab Congress president Pargat Singh met Jhota’s family. They said the party would raise the murder case in Parliament. Jhota’s father, Bhim Singh, reiterated that the family would not accept the body until its demands were fulfilled.

Jhota’s body remains at the Civil Hospital in Mansa. The post-mortem has also not been conducted due to the family’s refusal to give consent. The Justice Committee has announced that it will gherao the residences of Aam Aadmi Party MLAs and ministers across Punjab on October 19.

Police have registered two cases in connection with incidents of arson, vandalism and alleged inflammatory speeches during protests following the murder. Deputy Inspector General Harjit Singh said the accused had been identified and would be arrested soon.

Police had arrested the main accused, Ashwani Kumar, from Salasar in Rajasthan on October 14. On the same day, protesters allegedly vandalised and set fire to his medical store. The administration subsequently demolished a portion of his house, citing illegal construction.

Bhim Singh has maintained that his son’s last rites will not be performed until justice is delivered. The family has put forward five demands, including a CBI investigation, a post-mortem by a board of doctors from PGI Chandigarh, and the resignations of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav.

Meanwhile, Punjab Police has suspended Beant Kaur, Station House Officer of City-2 police station in Mansa. A recommendation has also been sent to the DGP’s office for an inquiry against DSP Harjinder Singh Gill.

The Centre has sought an explanation from Punjab Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha regarding the incident. In a letter, the Centre asked the state government to submit a detailed factual report on the incident and provide information about the steps taken by the state government in the matter.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH