India, Oct. 15 -- Bathinda/Patiala/Amritsar/Jalandhar/Sangrur: Commercial centres and private schools came to a near-total standstill across several districts in Punjab on Thursday following a statewide shutdown call over the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa.

The Punjab bandh call by Jhota's father Bhim Singh and a newly formed joint action committee, drew backing from major political parties, including the Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), BJP, and Akali Dal Waris Punjab De, along with state employee unions and major farmer organisations such as the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC).

The impact was felt across the Malwa region. Mansa, Barnala, and Sangrur districts wi...