Anger mounts in Punjab after anti-drug crusader killed in broad daylight
Confronted over illegal sale of addictive substances, medical store owner shoots down activist; Mansa residents stage massive protests; family refuses to cremate body; Oppn. corners AAP govt.
Parvinder Singh, commonly known as Jhota, was a former athlete who battled addiction and transformed into a prominent anti-drug crusader in Punjab's Mansa district. Born into a supportive family, Jhota struggled with substance abuse during his college years before dedicating his life to combating illegal drug sales. Using social media livestreams, he confronted chemists, medical store owners, and alleged drug dealers, earning him a significant online following.
Despite his confrontational tactics earning him both support and conflict with the police, Jhota remained committed to his mission. His efforts eventually led to his assassination in a busy market by the very man he had confronted in 2023, Ashwani Kumar, who was livestreaming the event from his phone when he was shot. Jhota's tragic death leaves behind his parents, wife, and two sons, who are now left to mourn the loss of a father who fought tirelessly to protect young lives from the clutches of addiction.
Written by urgent.news from The Indian Express's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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