Chandigarh, Oct. 15 -- A state-wide bandh called over the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa evoked a mixed response in Punjab on Thursday, with markets and educational institutions remaining shut and protesters blocking roads at several places, disrupting traffic and bus services.
The shutdown was called by Jhota's family from 6 am to 5 pm, with support from the Congress, BJP, Akali Dal, Akali Dal Waris Punjab De, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha and other farmer and employee organisations. Emergency services remained operational.
Jhota was shot dead inside a medical store in a busy Mansa marketplace on Tuesday after allegedly confronting its owner, Ashwani Kumar, over the sale of addictive drugs. Kumar was taken into custody from Salasar in Rajasthan.
The family has refused to perform Jhota's last rites until justice is delivered. A joint action committee formed after the killing has demanded the resignations of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and DGP Gaurav Yadav, the removal of senior Mansa police officials and a CBI probe.
Shops remained closed in several districts, including Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Moga, Patiala, Sangrur and Ferozepur. Private schools in several areas also declared holidays. Toll plazas at some locations waived fees, while road blockades forced traffic diversions and affected bus services.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.