Killing of Anti-drug activist Parminder Jhota in Punjab ignites political firestorm, opposition alleges failure of Mann govt

Chandigarh [India], October 13 The killing of Anti-drug activist Parminder Singh Jhota in Mansa in Punjab has ignited a political firestorm with opposition leaders on Tuesday tearing into the Bhagwant Mann-led government alleging a failure of law and order and questioning the effectiveness of the state's campaign against drugs.

Former Punjab Congress president Raja Warring, in a post on X, alleged that Jhota's killing reflected the failure of the state government's law and order machinery and its campaign against drugs.

"The daylight murder of Parminder Singh Jhota is a direct result of the failed law & order and failed 'Yudh Nashean Virudh' of the @BhagwantMann govt," Warring said.

He further alleged that Jhota's efforts against drugs had not received support from the state government. Expressing condolences to the bereaved family, Warring said, "My heart goes out to bereaved family and supporters."

Warring added that he had briefly met Jhota's father and family when the activist was allegedly falsely accused and arrested in 2023.

Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira also targeted the AAP government, alleging that the killing exposed the failure of its anti-drug campaign.

"The broad daylight murder of Parminder Singh Jhota a known and drug activist of Punjab only shows how powerful #DrugMafia is under the @AamAadmiParty govt!" Khaira said in a post on X.

He further alleged that the government's campaign against drugs was limited to publicity, claiming that a "Politician-Police-Drug Mafia nexus rules the roost in Punjab". Khaira also expressed condolences to Jhota's family.

Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia alleged that Jhota was shot while recording drug dealers on camera.