Four days after the killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, AAP MLA Vijay Singla faced protests from Nihangs and other demonstrators during his visit to Civil Hospital Mansa on Saturday to enquire about the condition of two injured men.
Protesters Confront MLA, Raise Slogans
As Singla prepared to leave the hospital, protesters chased him and warned against another visit. Deputy Commissioner Navjot Kaur accompanied Singla during the visit, along with police personnel.
A protest has been continuing at the hospital’s main gate since Tuesday. The MLA reportedly entered through a separate gate leading to the emergency ward.
MLA Explains Injured Men’s Condition
After meeting the injured, Singla said doctors had informed him that one patient required surgery, while the other needed a plaster cast. The remaining two injured men are undergoing treatment at hospitals in Bathinda and Ludhiana.
Singla is the first AAP leader to visit the injured so far. He also denied allegations that the main accused, Ashwani Kumar, enjoyed his patronage, challenging protesters to produce evidence of any meeting or conversation with him during the past five years.
Action Committee Announces Further Protest
The action committee seeking justice in Jhota’s murder case has announced plans to gherao the residences and offices of AAP MLAs and ministers on October 19 and put up letters of condemnation, known as laahnat pattars, outside their premises.
Meanwhile, the main protest is continuing at Tinkoni, near the Deputy Commissioner’s residence on the Barnala-Sirsa road. Protesters have also barred ruling party leaders from entering the protest sites.
Family Refuses to Perform Last Rites
Jhota was allegedly shot dead by Ashwani Kumar at his chemist shop in Mansa on Tuesday following a drug-related dispute. The incident was reportedly captured during a Facebook Live session.
Jhota’s family has refused to perform his last rites until its demands are addressed, intensifying pressure on the authorities to respond to the protesters’ demands for justice.