Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Punjab on Tuesday for a crucial one-day itinerary aimed at reaching out to grieving families who lost their lives or loved ones while taking a stand against the menace of drug abuse in the state. Ahead of his arrival, stringent security arrangements were put in place across the three districts of Gurdaspur, Sangrur, and Mansa to ensure seamless movement and maintain public order.
Meeting the Family of Bikramjit Singh in Batala
Commencing his visit, Amit Shah traveled directly to Mari Panwan village in Batala within the Gurdaspur district, where he met the family members of Bikramjit Singh. Bikramjit was allegedly murdered on October 15 after he strongly opposed the peddling and open sale of narcotics in his locality. However, local police had previously stated that the killing stemmed from a dispute between two groups over a mobile phone.
Interacting With the Relatives of Gulzar Singh in Sangrur
Following his halt in Gurdaspur, Amit Shah is scheduled to visit the Sangrur district to meet the relatives of Gulzar Singh, a Dalit individual. Gulzar Singh died by suicide on September 7. His family members alleged that he was subjected to sustained harassment and caste-based slurs after he questioned Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema regarding the unregulated supply of narcotics in their neighborhood, driving him to consume poison.
Visiting Pervinder Singh Jhota’s Family in Mansa
Shah will subsequently head to Mansa to express condolences to the family of social activist Pervinder Singh Jhota, who spearheaded campaigns against drug abuse. Jhota was shot dead the previous week by a local medical store owner. Jhota's father, Bhim Singh, stated on Monday that he would formally raise the demand for a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into his son's murder during his meeting with Shah. Pervinder was widely recognized for his relentless activism against the unlawful sale of intoxicants at local pharmacies. He was shot dead in broad daylight inside a medical store located in a busy market area of Mansa on October 13.
Accused Apprehended and CBI Probe Announced
The fatal shooting occurred after Jhota confronted the medical store owner for dispensing intoxicating substances to an elderly person. The perpetrator, Ashwani Kumar, was subsequently detained from Salasar in Rajasthan. The tragic incident unfolded while Jhota was actively broadcasting live on Facebook, triggering a massive political uproar across Punjab. With assembly elections slated for early next year in the state, the tragedy has intensified political friction. Hours before Shah touched down in the state, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced that his administration has officially decided to hand over the investigation of the Jhota murder case to the CBI.
