Mansa, November 4: After more than three weeks of protests and a prolonged standoff over the killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, the Punjab government and the Justice Committee have reached an agreement on several key demands, including ₹2 crore compensation and a government job for his wife. The breakthrough is expected to pave the way for the post-mortem and cremation of Jhota, whose killing in Mansa on October 13 triggered widespread demonstrations and renewed public anger over the drug menace in Punjab. Under the understanding reached between the two sides, the post-mortem is scheduled for November 6, followed by the cremation.
The agreement provides for a government job for Jhota’s wife, Manpreet Kaur, on the basis of her eligibility, along with financial assistance of ₹2 crore. The government has also agreed to establish a memorial in Jhota’s name in Mansa and name the proposed trauma centre at Khiala Kalan village after him. These commitments address some of the principal demands raised by the family and the Justice Committee following the killing.
Another significant condition concerns the cases registered against people associated with the agitation. According to reports on the agreement, the government has agreed to facilitate the release of activists Lakhvir Singh, popularly known as Lakha Sidhana, and Mohanjit Sheron before the post-mortem. The proposed November 5 protest outside Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s residence in Sangrur has been put on hold. The committee has also sought the withdrawal of cases registered against protesters, including those related to the tearing down of government hoardings and flex boards. The release of the arrested activists and withdrawal of cases have been central to the committee’s position on ending the agitation.
The government has also agreed to provide ₹50 lakh compensation and a job at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Mansa to the wife of Daljit Singh, a marginal farmer from Bhamme Kalan village who died on October 27 in circumstances reportedly linked to drug abuse. Separately, the family of a young man who died of electrocution while removing a hoarding during the Punjab bandh in Ludhiana is to receive ₹20 lakh in compensation. The government has further assured financial assistance of ₹5 lakh each to four people injured in the firing incident, besides bearing their medical expenses.
The settlement follows weeks of negotiations involving the victim’s family, the Justice Committee and senior government representatives. Earlier, on October 23, the government had submitted a written response accepting several demands, including a CBI investigation, a post-mortem by a panel of senior doctors from PGIMER, Chandigarh, suspension of the concerned police and drug enforcement officials, and action against suspected illegal drug sales. However, the broader dispute continued as the committee maintained its agitation over the remaining demands.
The state government had earlier announced that the murder investigation would be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced the CBI probe on October 20, following mounting pressure from the family and protesters seeking an independent investigation. The government also agreed to recommend expeditious trial of the case.
Jhota was shot dead in Mansa on the morning of October 13 while confronting a medical store operator over the alleged illegal sale of drugs. He had been campaigning against drug-related activities in the region and was reportedly broadcasting the confrontation live on Facebook when the dispute escalated. Four of his associates were also injured. Police arrested the main accused, Ashwani Kumar, in Rajasthan on October 14. The killing sparked protests in Mansa and other parts of Punjab, with demonstrators demanding strict action against those responsible and accountability from officials tasked with tackling drug trafficking।
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The case has since grown beyond a murder investigation into a wider confrontation over Punjab’s response to the drug problem. The Justice Committee has argued that the incident exposed serious concerns about the enforcement of drug laws and the safety of those confronting alleged illegal drug activity. The suspension of the concerned Station House Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police and Drug Inspector, along with action against medical stores in the district, formed part of the government’s earlier response. The Health Department had reportedly cancelled three chemist licences, suspended another and sealed four shops in Mansa.
The latest agreement marks an important step towards resolving the immediate deadlock, but its implementation will be crucial. The post-mortem, release of the arrested activists, withdrawal of cases and fulfilment of the compensation and employment commitments will determine whether the agitation is formally brought to an end. The CBI investigation will also remain central to the family’s demand for accountability and a credible prosecution.
For the Mann government, the agreement offers a possible way out of a politically sensitive confrontation that has brought the state’s anti-drug campaign under intense public and opposition scrutiny. For Jhota’s family and supporters, however, the central demand remains justice through a transparent investigation and action against everyone found responsible.
The ₹2 crore compensation and government job are reported as commitments under the agreement, with the job subject to eligibility. The post-mortem and cremation were scheduled for November 6, not reported as already completed. The agreement also contains conditions concerning the release of arrested protesters and withdrawal of cases; therefore, it would be premature to describe the entire agitation as conclusively over.
