Mansa: The mortal remains of anti drugs activist Parvinder Singh Jhota arrived in Mansa on Sunday amid huge protests by his supporters who showered flower petals and raised slogans of ‘Parvinder Jhota Amar Rahe’.
Jhota’s mortal remains were brought to Mansa from PGI Chandigarh. A large number of people gathered at the protest site and after the protest, his mortal remains were shifted to his house. His last rites will be performed in the fields of the family.
Father blames politicians and police for Conspiracy
Speaking about his son’s death, Jhota’s father Bhim Singh alleged a conspiracy between politicians and police. He demanded a thorough investigation and instant transfer of Mansa Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP).
“It has been 28 days… The Punjab government, in collusion with the local police administration, conspired with drug traffickers to orchestrate the murder of Parvinder… The real killers—the primary political conspirators behind all of this—are still roaming free. Those under whose patronage this murder was carried out have yet to be apprehended. Even the police officers involved are moving about openly. We will find no peace until this matter is thoroughly investigated and these political conspirators are sent to prison.” Even the Police Officials are freely walking about. Until there is a thorough investigation done, we will not get any peace. The political conspirators should be put into jail, he said.
He also alleged that Punjab youth are being destroyed due to drug abuse. He urged the Central Government including the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and Home Minister to take action.
“We demand from the Central Government—specifically the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the Home Minister—that if justice is to be served, the local SSP must be transferred immediately. The reason he has not been transferred is that political leaders from the ‘Jhadu Party’ (Aam Aadmi Party) are shielding this police officer.”
Family terms Jhota as a Warrior Against Drug Abuse
Earlier, family members stated that Jhota was a warrior who gave his life fighting against drug abuse. The family said that Jhota’s fight against drug abuse should inspire Punjab youth to take part in fighting against narcotics.
“Our warrior is arriving. We feel so much joy—people usually mourn, but we are joyous. We belong to that community: we were broken on wheels, boiled in cauldrons, and sawn alive with saws. He is our warrior,” a family member said.
Another relative, Jaspal, said that flower petals are being showered as he was given the title of martyr by Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
“Flowers are being showered because the supreme authority is Sri Akal Takht Sahib, from where he was conferred the title of martyr. The Almighty’s grace is upon him; in Punjab, our ten Gurus fought 14 battles and sacrificed everything for us. This warrior of ours also did so much for us, and we need to learn from his example.”
The family also urged youngsters to take an oath to stay away from drugs on Diwali.
Parvinder Jhota shot dead on October 13
Jhota who was known for fighting against the drug menace in Punjab was shot dead inside a medical store in Mansa on October 13.
He had raised a dispute with pharmacist Ashwani Kumar over allegedly selling prescription drugs illegally to an old man. Jhota was live-streaming the altercation on Facebook. Four people were also injured in the firing.
Kumar along with three others were arrested by Mansa police within 24 hours.
Jhota’s mortal remains were kept in Mansa Civil Hospital mortuary without an autopsy as his family refused to allow the post-mortem. They demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and state Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has re-registered the murder case and are conducting a detailed investigation.