Punjab anti-drug activist murder: Medical store owner arrested in Rajasthan
The medical store owner accused of shooting dead anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Punjab’s Mansa district has been arrested in Rajasthan, sources said on Wednesday.
The accused, Ashwani Kumar, was taken into custody from Salasar, according to sources.
Jhota was shot dead in broad daylight on Tuesday after he confronted Kumar, who allegedly sold drugs to an elderly man from his medical shop. The incident was captured on camera during a live Facebook session hosted by the activist.
Following the killing, Kumar fled the scene, prompting police to launch a search operation to track him down.
Jhota was known for speaking out against drug abuse and the alleged illegal sale of addictive substances at chemist shops.
The murder triggered tension in Mansa town, where the activist’s supporters vandalised the medical shop. Meanwhile, Jhota’s family refused to cremate his body as a mark of protest.
On Tuesday, police arrested an associate of the accused for allegedly helping Kumar escape after the shooting.
The killing sparked widespread condemnation from political leaders, who accused the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of failing to maintain law and order.
Opposition parties also targeted the Bhagwant Mann-led government, alleging a state of “jungle raj” in Punjab. They said the murder had raised serious concerns about the safety of people who speak out against the drug menace. (with inputs from PTI)
