Protests over bodies in suspected drug-related deaths have emerged as a major flashpoint in Punjab, months ahead of the assembly elections, with families and activists refusing cremation to press for justice, accountability and compensation.
The growing trend has become a law-and-order challenge for the Bhagwant Mann government, with opposition leaders seizing the opportunity to target the ruling dispensation. The situation is particularly tense in Mansa and Sangrur districts, where three deaths linked to drugs or questioning drug sales have triggered protests, allegations of police excesses and a political blame game. Protest over Jhota’s murder Following the murder, Jhota’s family refused a post-mortem and cremation, demanding the resignation of chief minister Bhagwant Mann and director general of police Gaurav Yadav, besides a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe. The family’s initial demands included a post-mortem by a Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh (PGIMER), Chandigarh, panel, dismissal of two station house officers (SHOs), the deputy superintendent of police and drug inspector, installation of a statue at the site of the killing and a trauma centre in Jhota’s name. Daljit’s relatives blocked the Sarsa-Mansa road and attempted to take his body to the Jhota protest site. Police erected barricades using trucks at Ramdittewala Chowk to stop the procession, leading to scuffles as officers took custody of the body.
Tensions escalated on October 27 after 35-year-old marginal farmer Daljit Singh of Bhamme Kalan village was found dead near Ramanandi village.
His family alleged that he died of a drug overdose, while police said the cause of death was under investigation and described the overdose claim as misinformation.
It has also constituted a three-member panel of women IAS officers to hold talks with the family. However, these steps have failed to break the deadlock. The government has suspended the City-2 SHO Beant Kaur, DSP Harjinder Singh Gill and drug inspector Neeraj Kumar.
The state government recommended a CBI investigation and the agency has since taken up the case. However, Jhota’s body remains in the Mansa civil hospital mortuary, even as the protest demanding justice entered its 14th day.
