Shutdown called from 6 am to 5 pm; family appeals for peace, exempts emergency services
MANSA: The Punjab bandh called for October 15 to demand justice for murdered anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota has gained support from farmer unions, religious bodies, social organisations and political leaders.
Jhota’s father, Bhim Singh, and the action committee leading the agitation have appealed for a statewide shutdown from 6 am to 5 pm on Thursday. Bhim Singh has urged supporters to maintain peace and clarified that emergency services would be allowed to operate. The committee says various organisations and political parties have endorsed the call.
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee has announced its support. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami said the committee’s offices and institutions would remain closed on October 15 in solidarity with the demand for justice.
Among farmer organisations, Bharatiya Kisan Union (Kadian) has formally backed the shutdown. State committee member Satpal Singh Dadian said the organisation condemned Jhota’s killing and would support the protest called by social and community organisations. He accused the government of failing to curb the drug trade.
BKU Ekta Sidhupur has also announced support for the bandh, according to reports published on Wednesday.
The Shiromani Akali Dal has endorsed the call issued by Jhota’s father. Senior party leader Daljit Singh Cheema announced the decision, while party president Sukhbir Singh Badal appealed to Punjabis to extend peaceful support.
Punjab BJP President Kewal Singh Dhillon has announced the party’s full support for the Punjab bandh called for October 15 by the Joint Struggle Committee, comprising farmer and labour unions, social organisations, and political parties, formed under the leadership of Bhim Singh, father of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhotta, and his family following Jhotta’s murder in Mansa on October 13. He said that BJP workers would participate in the Punjab bandh tomorrow in large numbers and that the party would vigorously raise the demand for justice in this case.
Support has also emerged from local traders. In Jalalabad, markets and commercial establishments have announced closure until 1 pm under the statewide protest call, indicating that local observance timings may vary.
The principal demands include a CBI investigation into Jhota’s murder and accountability for alleged failures by the authorities. His father has also demanded the resignations of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the Punjab DGP.
Large numbers of activists continued gathering in Mansa on Wednesday. Police erected barricades on roads leading to the town and deployed additional personnel. Punjab Congress president Pargat Singh visited Mansa and addressed a gathering during the day.
Jhota was shot dead in Mansa on October 13 during a confrontation with medical store owner Ashwani Kumar over the alleged sale of intoxicating medicines. The killing triggered protests and prompted his family and supporters to call the statewide shutdown.
The bandh is an appeal by the organisers for public participation. Separate confirmation of statewide school closures, suspension of bus or rail services, or closure of government offices was not available in the announcements reviewed.