Punjab activist gunned down over anti-drug campaign

Parvinder Singh Jhota, an outspoken activist who challenged the illegal distribution of narcotic substances through chemist shops, was fatally shot in broad daylight at a medical store in a busy commercial area of Mansa, Punjab. The incident underscores the hazards faced by civil society workers attempting to curtail drug trafficking through pharmaceutical channels in the state.

Jhota had built a reputation for his vocal stance against chemists who sold controlled and addictive drugs without proper authorization or medical prescriptions. His activism brought him into direct conflict with elements profiting from the unlicensed pharmaceutical trade, a longstanding public health concern across Punjab.

The killing occurred inside the medical store itself, demonstrating a brazen disregard for public safety and the activist's growing visibility. Authorities have launched investigations into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

The death highlights the vulnerability of grassroots activists working on drug-related issues in Punjab, where substance abuse remains a critical social challenge. Anti-narcotics campaigners have faced increasing hostility as their work threatens lucrative illegal drug networks operating through various channels, including unauthorized pharmaceutical distribution.