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Punjab bandh called following murder of anti-drug activist
A statewide shutdown, or bandh, was called across Punjab on October 15 following the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa. Jhota was reportedly shot dead on October 13 inside a medical store after confronting the owner, Ashwani Kumar, regarding the illegal sale of addictive substances. Kumar was subsequently arrested in Rajasthan.
The protest, supported by various political parties including the Congress, BJP, and Shiromani Akali Dal, as well as farmer and trade unions, led to significant disruptions. Markets, schools, and colleges were closed in several districts, including Ludhiana, Amritsar, and Jalandhar. Protesters also blocked major roads and highways, such as National Highway-44.
Demands from protesters and the victim's family include a CBI investigation into the murder and the resignation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the Director General of Police. In response to the incident, Mansa SSP Vaibhav Choudhary suspended SHO Beant Kaur of the City-2 police station. While the shutdown caused widespread disruption, authorities stated that essential services like hospitals and fire brigades remained operational.
Entities
Amritsar · Ashwani Kumar · Bhagwant Mann · Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee · Parminder Singh Jhota · Parvinder Singh Jhota · Punjab · Punjab Police · Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 4 SOURCES] Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee leader Sarwan Singh Pandher demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the DGP. tennews.in · www.orissapost.com · tfipost.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Deputy Commissioner of Police Jaskaran Singh Teja stated that police would not allow businesses to be forced into participating in the shutdown. desitalkchicago.com · newsable.asianetnews.com · www.deccanchronicle.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Protesters blocked the Bathinda-Mansa road near Bhaini Bagha village. desitalkchicago.com · www.deccanchronicle.com · newsable.asianetnews.com
- [● 14 SOURCES] The Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee and other unions called for a statewide shutdown in Punjab. desitalkchicago.com · newsable.asianetnews.com · www.deccanchronicle.com · samacharnama.com · tennews.in · +7 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] The joint action committee has demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the removal of DGP Gaurav Yadav.
- [● 4 SOURCES] The statewide bandh was scheduled to take place from 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM. samacharnama.com · hindi.newsbytesapp.com · tfipost.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] Police have arrested a medical store operator, Ashwini Kumar, in Rajasthan in connection with the murder. samacharnama.com · www.nationalheraldindia.com · medicaldialogues.in · www.newindianexpress.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] Protesters are demanding a CBI investigation into the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota. samacharnama.com · yespunjab.com · www.newindianexpress.com · tennews.in