CHANDIGARH: Anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota was cremated in Mansa on Sunday (November 8), 26 days after he was shot dead in broad daylight. His elder son and father lit the funeral pyre at the family's agricultural field on Chakerian Road.
Jhota's family bid him an emotional farewell, maintaining that their fight for justice would continue. His mortal remains were brought to Mansa from Chandigarh early Sunday morning after the post-mortem examination was completed at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) on Saturday, November 7.
The body was handed over to the family around 5 am. During the journey from Chandigarh to Mansa, people gathered at several locations to pay their last respects, showering flower petals on the mortal remains.
Meanwhile, Jhota's father, Bhim Singh, continued his hunger strike which had entered its second day. He has demanded the transfer of Mansa Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Vaibhav Chaudhary before his son's last rites, alleging that police inaction against drug trafficking in the area contributed to Jhota's killing.
Bhim Singh has vowed not to eat until the SSP is transferred.
Family vows to continue fight against drugs
Earlier, Jhota's family described him as a warrior who dedicated his life to fighting drug abuse and protecting society. They said his campaign against narcotics should inspire Punjab's youth to join the movement for a drug-free state.
“Our warrior is coming home. We are filled with joy. Usually, people mourn at such times, but we are celebrating his courage. We belong to a community that has faced extreme torture- people were crushed under wheels, boiled in cauldrons and cut alive with saws. He is our warrior,” a family member told the media.
The family also appealed to young people to stay away from drugs and actively participate in efforts to make Punjab drug-free.
The incident behind Jhota's demise
Jhota, who was known for leading campaigns against drug abuse in Punjab, was shot dead on October 13 inside a medical store in a crowded market in Mansa.
According to reports, he had confronted the pharmacy owner, Ashwani Kumar, over the alleged illegal sale of prescription medicines to an elderly customer. Jhota was live streaming the confrontation on Facebook when he was shot. Four other people were also injured in the incident.
Mansa Police arrested Kumar and three other individuals within 24 hours of the shooting.
Following the murder, Jhota's body remained at the mortuary of Mansa Civil Hospital as his family refused to permit a post-mortem examination. The family had demanded the resignation of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav before agreeing to the autopsy.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has since re-registered the murder case and initiated a detailed investigation into the killing.
Despite Jhota's cremation, his family has maintained that its demand for accountability and justice remains unchanged.
(With the inputs from media agencies)