Punjab Bandh Update: Farmers Protest at Amritsar’s Golden Gate, Demand Justice for Parvinder Jhota

October 15, 2026

Amritsar: Farmers and supporters led by Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee leader Sarwan Singh Pandher staged a protest at Amritsar’s Golden Gate on Thursday as the Punjab bandh over rising drug abuse and the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota continued.

Protesters gathered at the Golden Gate and burnt an effigy of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government. Pandher said farmer organisations and their affiliated unions had appealed to people to support the statewide shutdown.

Thanking people for their response, Pandher demanded that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann resign on moral grounds and called for the state Director General of Police (DGP) to step down.

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Farmers Demand Impartial Probe Into Parvinder Jhota’s Murder

Pandher demanded an impartial investigation into Jhota’s killing, saying everyone responsible should be brought to justice, irrespective of political connections or alleged links to the drug trade.

 

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He also questioned the state government’s claim of zero tolerance towards drugs and called for stronger action against substance abuse. Pandher proposed that a team of 10 doctors examine personnel at 10 police stations, alleging that some police officers might be under the influence of intoxicants. The allegations could not be independently verified.

Parvinder Singh Jhota’s Father Appeals to Punjabis to Join Statewide Bandh, Demand Justice for Son

Mansa: Bhim Singh, father of slain anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, has appealed to people across Punjab to participate in the statewide bandh on Thursday, demanding justice for his son and an independent investigation into his murder.

The bandh has been called from 6 AM to 5 PM following Jhota’s killing in Mansa on October 13. Bhim Singh has urged political parties, farmer unions, social organisations and the general public to support the shutdown peacefully, while allowing emergency services to continue operating.

 

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The family is demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the murder and has called for the resignation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav. It has also sought action against the district drug inspector and the police officials concerned, along with accountability for the circumstances surrounding the killing.

Bhim Singh has also questioned whom the main accused, Ashwani Kumar, was allegedly speaking to on the phone shortly before the shooting and has sought details of the conversation. The family has refused to perform Jhota’s last rites until its demands for justice are addressed.

Several opposition parties, farmer organisations and social groups have extended support to the bandh, intensifying pressure on the Punjab government to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation.

Security Tightened as Punjab Observes Bandh

Security was tightened across Amritsar as farmer organisations, student groups and trade unions backed the shutdown. Several unions had also announced plans to block National Highway-44, which connects Amritsar with Delhi.

The bandh was called following the killing of Jhota in Mansa and a demand for action against those responsible. His father, Bhim Singh, had called for the shutdown, receiving support from farmer organisations, Opposition parties and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had promised strict punishment for those involved in the murder and reiterated that his government would not protect anyone involved in drug smuggling.

Punjab BJP chief Kewal Singh Dhillon and Punjab Congress president Pargat Singh also announced support for the bandh, with political leaders calling for justice for Jhota and stronger action against drugs.

Mansa, Punjab: A statewide Punjab Bandh has been called on Thursday, October 15, to protest the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa. The shutdown is scheduled from 6 am to 5 pm, with hospitals, medical stores, ambulances, fire services and other essential emergency services exempted.

Schools and colleges in several districts have been closed, while markets and highways have been affected by the shutdown. The victim’s father, Bhim Singh, has appealed to people not to take their vehicles onto the roads and has refused to accept his son’s body, demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the murder.

The bandh has received support from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Shiromani Akali Dal, Congress, Waris Punjab De and the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ugrahan). The Kisan Mazdoor Morcha has also extended its support to the shutdown.

Schools and Colleges Closed in Four Districts

Educational institutions in Ludhiana, Pathankot, Gurdaspur and Jalandhar have been ordered or reported closed amid the bandh. Several private schools, gyms and other establishments in Jalandhar have also remained shut in protest against Jhota’s killing. School managements, including the BSF School administration, have informed parents about the closures.

In Ludhiana, holidays have been declared at several schools, including Sacred Heart Convent School in Sarabha Nagar, Sacred Heart School in Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar, BCM Arya School in Shastri Nagar, Manav Rachna School, DAV schools, Tagore School, Drishti School, GNIPS, BVM Group of Schools, Lakewood School, Jeevan Model School and Clay School. Sacred Heart schools under the Jalandhar Diocese have also been included in the closure announcements.

However, the situation is not uniform across Punjab. Schools in Mohali were reported to be open, with bus services operating, according to the latest updates provided.

The School and College Bus Operators’ Union has announced the suspension of bus services in support of the bandh. Residents have been advised to check local announcements before travelling, as transport and commercial activities may vary from one area to another.

Toll Plazas to Be Made Free During Protest

The Punjab Toll Plaza Workers Union has announced its support for the bandh and said toll plazas across the state would allow vehicles to pass without payment from 8 am on Thursday. According to the union’s state president, Darshan Singh Ladi, the arrangement would continue for an indefinite period.

The union has also announced sit-in protests by toll plaza employees at various locations. Ladi appealed to farmers, labourers, employees, pensioners and traders to join the demonstrations, saying the protest was intended to draw attention to the drug menace and protect Punjab’s younger generation from substance abuse.

The bandh organisers have called for public participation in the protest, while emergency services are expected to remain operational.

How Parvinder Jhota Was Killed in Mansa

Parvinder Singh Jhota, who was involved in an anti-drug campaign in Punjab, was shot dead in Mansa on October 13. According to the account provided, Jhota had confronted a medical store owner, Ashwini Kumar, over the alleged sale of narcotic substances.

An argument broke out during the confrontation, and shots were fired. Jhota died in the incident, while four other people were injured. The shooting was captured during a Facebook Live broadcast, bringing the incident into public attention.

Following the killing, Jhota’s family members and supporters staged protests at a hospital and a public square in Mansa, demanding strict action against those responsible. Initial discussions between the police and the family failed to resolve the matter.

The killing triggered widespread anger among anti-drug campaigners and other groups, with protesters demanding a thorough investigation and accountability.

Main Accused Arrested in Rajasthan

Police arrested the main accused, Ashwini Kumar, the owner of the medical store, from Salasar in Rajasthan. Police have also stated that a person suspected of helping the accused escape was arrested earlier.

Following the arrest, the administration demolished the accused’s house and medical store using a bulldozer. The structures were reportedly described as illegal constructions, although no formal reason for the demolition was provided in the information available.

The demolition also triggered further unrest. A crowd gathered at the site, vandalised the medical store and subsequently set it on fire.

Jhota’s Father Refuses to Accept Body, Demands CBI Probe

Bhim Singh, the father of Parvinder Jhota, has refused to accept his son’s body and demanded a CBI investigation into the killing. He has maintained that the family will not accept the body until its demands are addressed.

In a video appeal released on Thursday morning, he sought public support for the protest and urged people to cooperate with the bandh by keeping their vehicles off the roads.

The family’s demand for a CBI probe remains a key issue behind the continuing protest. Supporters have called for a transparent investigation into the killing, which has renewed concerns over the drug trade and the safety of those campaigning against it in Punjab.

As the Punjab Bandh continues, the main focus remains on the family’s demands, the investigation into Jhota’s murder and the disruption of normal activities across several districts. Emergency services have been exempted from the shutdown, while school closures, suspended bus services and toll plaza protests are among the major developments reported on Thursday.