Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the family of slain anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa on Tuesday during his day-long Punjab visit. Shah met the families of three people whose deaths have been linked to allegations surrounding drug-related issues in the state.
Shah reached Jhota’s residence on Waterworks Road at around 3:26 pm in a bulletproof vehicle and left at 3:46 pm. His helicopter had landed at Mansa’s new grain market at 3:15 pm. Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon accompanied him during the visit.
Jhota, an anti-drug activist, was shot dead in Mansa. His killing triggered protests, with supporters demanding justice and action against the drug trade. The visit comes amid growing political debate over drug availability and the safety of people who raise their voices against the menace.
Before reaching Mansa, Shah visited the family of Bikramjit Singh in Mari Panwan village in Gurdaspur district. Bikramjit was allegedly killed on October 15 for opposing drug peddling in his area.
After meeting Shah, Bikramjit’s niece, Saroj Deepak, said the Union Home Minister assured the family that they would get justice and that efforts would be made to make Punjab drug-free. She said the family demanded a CBI investigation and claimed Shah told them the matter would be handed over to the agency.
The family has sought justice for Bikramjit’s killing and action against those responsible.
Shah also visited Toor Banjara village in Sangrur district to meet the family of Gulzar Singh, a Dalit man who died by suicide on September 7. His family alleged that he consumed poison after facing harassment and casteist remarks for questioning Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema about the supply of drugs in his locality.
The three meetings formed part of Shah’s day-long visit to Gurdaspur, Sangrur and Mansa, with security arrangements tightened across the districts.
Meanwhile, Punjab BJP vice-president Fatehjang Singh Bajwa referred to the BJP’s promise to eradicate the drug menace in Punjab by December 31, 2029. He said Shah’s visit reflected the party’s commitment to fulfilling that promise.
Separately, Balkaur Singh, father of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, visited the protest site in Mansa over Jhota’s killing. He urged Jhota’s father, Bhim Singh, to raise the issue of gangsters with Shah during his visit. Balkaur also questioned why gangsters lodged in Sabarmati jail were not being produced in courts for trial.
Shah’s visit comes amid demands for a thorough investigation into Jhota’s killing and stronger action against drug trafficking in Punjab.
