Mansa, Oct. 13 -- Anti-drug activist Parminder Singh Jhota was shot by a medical shop owner, who later succumbed to his injuries after being rushed to a hospital. The incident has ignited a political firestorm in the state, with opposition parties attacking the Bhagwant Mann-led government over the alleged failure of law and order and questioning the effectiveness of Punjab's drive against drugs.

Congress MP Amarinder Singh Raja Warring claimed that drug peddlers enjoy the full backing of the state government.

"We have stated that the situation regarding the drug crisis in Punjab is dire; one never knows what might happen next. Those who fight against drugs are bound to face such consequences because these drug peddlers enjoy the full b...