Chandigarh/Sangrur/Jalandhar/Amritsar, Oct. 15 -- Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday vowed the strictest punishment for those involved in the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, even as outrage over the daylight killing spilled into a second day, with tensions remaining high in Mansa town. Jhota's father, Bhim Singh, launched a scathing attack on the administration and called for a Punjab Bandh on October 15, a demand backed by opposition parties, farmer unions and the SGPC. Declaring that Punjab's hard-earned peace and law and order would not be compromised at any cost, Mann warned that anyone found involved in a conspiracy behind the murder would also be brought to justice. "Any conspiracy behind the unfortunate incident would also be thoroughly probed, and the guilty would face the strictest punishment. I have issued directions to the director general of police (DGP) to ensure a meticulous investigation so that the truth comes out," he said in a video posted on X. Mann said his government followed a zero-tolerance policy towards drug smuggling and did not protect anyone involved in the drug trade. "We have launched a war against chitta and other drugs. Anyone found involved will face strict action, irrespective of who they are," he added. The chief minister also appealed to the people to maintain peace. Meanwhile, Bhim Singh, speaking to reporters in Mansa, criticised the government's failure to prevent the attack and announced a statewide shutdown on October 15, demanding political accountability and an independent investigation. The joint struggle committee comprising farmer and labour unions, social organisations, and political parties has been formed under Bhim Singh's leadership. "The CM and the DGP, if their conscience awakens, should resign on their own. A call has been issued for a 'Punjab bandh' tomorrow, October 15. On behalf of the committee, as well as all joint forums, activists, political parties, and organisations, we earnestly appeal to the people of Punjab to observe this shutdown," Singh said. Singh also demanded the dismissal of the district drug inspector, Mansa SSP, DSP and SHO concerned, and the registration of FIRs against them. Punjab Congress president Pargat Singh on Wednesday said his party stands firmly with the family of the anti-drug activist and will raise its voice at every level to ensure justice for him. Addressing a group of protesters in Mansa, Singh said, "Preventing drug trafficking, identifying the networks involved in this trade, and taking strict action against those responsible are among the government's primary responsibilities." Punjab BJP chief Kewal Singh Dhillon on Wednesday announced the party's full support for the bandh call. "A high-level investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will uncover the truth behind the killing," he said. He said that the BJP had held district-level protests across Punjab on Wednesday over this demand and submitted memorandums to the governor through DCs, seeking a CBI probe. He said that BJP workers would participate in the bandh tomorrow. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal alleged that chief minister Bhagwant Mann was solely responsible for the current state of affairs in Punjab. "We appeal to all Punjabis to extend peaceful support to this (bandh) call, as it is for demanding justice for the anti-drug crusader and protecting our children from the clutches of the drug mafia," he posted on X. He demanded that the entire conspiracy behind this murder, including the delay by the police in reaching the medical shop, be probed by the CBI as desired by the bereaved father. SAD (Punar-Surjit) general secretary Gurpartap Singh Wadala on Wednesday alleged that the circumstances surrounding the shooting raised suspicions of a larger conspiracy. Wadala pointed out that the assailant was reportedly speaking on the phone before firing. Acting on party president Giani Harpreet Singh's directions, the party's district units submitted memoranda to the Punjab and central governments through DCs, seeking action on the murder case. The Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan) on Wednesday condemned the incident, with state president Joginder Singh Ugrahan backing the bandh call. Ugrahan urged people to protest together at the village, city, tehsil, or district headquarters on Thursday. In view of the Punjab bandh call, several farmers' unions, student bodies and trade unions have decided to block National Highway-44, connecting Amritsar and Delhi on Thursday. Sukhbir Singh, district president of BKU (Doaba), said the protest will be held at the GT Road near Paragpur in Jalandhar by the union activists along with student organisations and social groups. "We will allow only emergency services including ambulances and those attending weddings and funerals to pass," he said. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee chief Harjinder Singh Dhami announced full support for the bandh call. Dhami said that the SGPC stands firmly with those struggling to protect Punjab's youth. He said all SGPC offices and its constituent institutions will remain closed on October 15 in protest against the killing....