Punjab Bandh Today: Schools Shut in Four Districts After Parvinder Jhota Murder

October 15, 2026

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.