Hours after anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh, alias Jhota, was shot dead in Mansa, the police on Wednesday arrested the accused, a pharmacy owner, from Rajasthan even as anger against the killing spilled onto the streets, with mob setting the chemist’s shop ablaze and authorities razing a portion of his house.
The situation turned tense after an agitated mob led by a group of Nihangs torched Kumar’s shop where Jhota was gunned down. The arson occurred despite heavy police deployment in the area.
Ashwani Kumar, the medical store owner, who opened fire on Jhota after he questioned him for selling addictive drugs to an elderly man, was taken into custody from Salasar in Rajasthan, police said. Bathinda Range DIG Harjit Singh said an FIR has been registered against two persons. “Police had arrested an associate who helped Kumar flee on Tuesday night,” he added. People could be seen climbing the boundary walls of the nearby houses to catch a glimpse of the demolition, which, according to police, followed information about unauthorised construction on the premises.
The family has also refused to cremate the body.
Punjab Congress president Pargat Singh said his party stands firmly with Jhota’s family, and will raise its voice at every level to ensure justice for him. Jhota’s father gave a Punjab bandh call on Thursday with political parties, including the Congress, Akali Dal, BJP, Akali Dal Waris Punjab De, and farmers’ body Samyukta Kisan Morcha and other farmers’ unions and state government employees’ unions extending support to it. Several politicians also visited Mansa on Wednesday to express grief with the victim’s family.
