After 22 days of protests, political interventions and a prolonged standoff with the Punjab government, the family of slain anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota has agreed to his post-mortem examination and cremation. The breakthrough came on Wednesday evening, November 4, following marathon negotiations between the family, the joint action committee and a high-level government delegation in Mansa.
The agreement marks a significant development in an agitation that began after Jhota's killing on October 13. The Punjab government has assured Rs 2 crore in compensation and a government job for his wife, besides accepting several other demands related to the investigation, accountability and action against alleged drug trafficking.
However, the release of arrested protesters and the withdrawal of cases against them remain crucial conditions in the process of bringing the agitation to a complete close.
Four-hour meeting brings breakthrough
The agreement followed a meeting at Bachat Bhawan in Mansa involving Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, Jhota's family and representatives of the action committee.
The negotiations focused on the family's demands for justice, financial assistance, accountability of officials and the release of protesters arrested during the agitation.
Following the meeting, the committee suspended its proposed gherao of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's residence in Sangrur, scheduled for November 5.
Sandhwan said the family had agreed to the post-mortem and cremation by November 6. The examination is expected to be conducted at PGIMER, Chandigarh, by a team of senior doctors, with the CBI making arrangements for the process.
CBI investigation and action against officials
The Punjab government has already recommended a CBI investigation into Jhota's murder, following the family's demand for an independent probe. The agency is now investigating the case.
The government has also agreed to initiate a high-level inquiry against the police and drug department officials concerned.
The Station House Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police and drug inspector concerned have been suspended. The government has further assured action against officials found responsible for negligence or misconduct.
In a separate measure, authorities will investigate the properties of individuals allegedly involved in drug trafficking. Sandhwan said strict action, including dismissal from service wherever warranted, would be taken against those found guilty.
Memorial and trauma centre in Jhota's name
The government has agreed to install a memorial statue of Jhota on government land as a tribute to his contribution to the anti-drug campaign.
It has also accepted the demand to name the proposed trauma centre at Khiala Kalan village after him. According to Sandhwan, the approval process for the trauma centre project would begin within a week.
The proposed memorial and healthcare facility are among the measures intended to recognise Jhota's role in raising concerns about drug abuse and trafficking in the region.
Action against chemists and drug-related establishments
The government has also assured stricter action against drug-manufacturing units and establishments found to be involved in illegal drug trafficking.
Sandhwan said that following Jhota's murder, authorities had cancelled the licences of three chemists, suspended the licence of one and sealed four shops in Mansa district.
The measures form part of the government's response to demands for stricter enforcement against the illegal sale of addictive substances.
The government has also assured that the sale of pregabalin capsules will be regulated, with the drug being brought under Schedule H1 restrictions from November 12, according to the agreement reported
Compensation for injured protesters and another family
The government has assured Rs 5 lakh each to those injured in the incident involving Jhota. Sandhwan said free medical treatment was already being provided to the injured.
The agreement also includes financial assistance for the family of Daljit Singh, a 32-year-old marginal farmer from Bhamme Kalan village, who died on October 27 under circumstances allegedly linked to drug abuse.
The government has assured Rs 50 lakh in compensation and a government job for a family member of Daljit Singh.
Additionally, the process to provide Rs 20 lakh in compensation to a youth who died of electrocution in Ludhiana while pulling down a hoarding during the Punjab bandh is under way, Sandhwan said.
Arrested protesters remain a key issue
Despite the agreement, the release of arrested protesters remains an important part of the settlement.
The action committee has insisted that arrested activists, including Lakhvir Singh, alias Lakha Sidhana, and Mohanjit Sheron, be released and cases registered against protesters be withdrawn.
The committee had made these steps a precondition for the post-mortem and cremation. While the proposed gherao of the Chief Minister's residence has been suspended, the complete withdrawal of the agitation depends on the implementation of the agreed terms.
The developments underline the importance of translating the government's assurances into concrete action, particularly regarding the release of those arrested and the withdrawal of cases.
A long-awaited step towards closure
Jhota's body had remained at the mortuary of the Civil Hospital in Mansa since his killing on October 13. His death triggered protests by his family, activists and several organisations, with the agitation growing into a wider demand for accountability in Punjab's anti-drug campaign.
His father, Bhim Singh, thanked the people who supported the family during the prolonged agitation.
The agreement has now paved the way for the post-mortem and final rites, while the CBI investigation and the government's commitments on compensation, official accountability and drug enforcement will remain under scrutiny.
For the family, the next crucial step is the completion of the post-mortem and cremation, followed by the implementation of the assurances made during the negotiations.
