Anti-drug activist laid to rest 26 days after death in Punjab

Parvinder Singh Jhota, a prominent anti-narcotics activist, was cremated in his native village in Punjab on Tuesday, 26 days after his death. The body of the 45-year-old was transported from the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI) in Chandigarh to Mansa district, where hundreds of supporters gathered to pay their final respects.

Jhota's cremation was performed at his ancestral village, with mourners showering flowers as a mark of respect for the slain activist. The burial site coincided with a farm owned by the deceased, transforming the location into a symbolic farewell point for those who had worked alongside him in his campaign against drug trafficking and substance abuse in the region.

Jhota's family members publicly contested the official narrative surrounding his death, characterizing him as a martyr. They alleged that a political conspiracy lay behind the activist's killing and demanded a fair and impartial investigation into the circumstances. The family also called for the transfer of the local superintendent of police, suggesting institutional failings in the case.

The activist's death had drawn widespread attention from civil society groups and anti-drug organizations across Punjab and neighboring regions. His work had focused on raising awareness about the dangers of narcotics and supporting families affected by addiction, making him a respected figure in grassroots activism communities.