Action committee demands dismissal of officials as fresh talks fail to secure agreement on post-mortem and cremation
MANSA: The Punjab government has suspended Mansa DSP Harjinder Singh Gill and drug inspector Naresh Kumar amid sustained protests over the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota. However, the action has failed to resolve the standoff with the family and action committee, which have been demanding the dismissal of officials they accuse of negligence.
The suspensions, confirmed by Bathinda Range DIG Harjit Singh on Wednesday, follow the earlier suspension of City-2 SHO Beant Kaur on October 15.
A second round of talks between the government-appointed committee, Jhota’s family and action committee representatives ended without agreement on Wednesday evening. The meeting sought to clear the way for the post-mortem examination and cremation, but assurances on several demands did not produce a settlement.
Jhota was shot dead on October 13 during a confrontation with chemist Ashwani Kumar over the alleged sale of addictive medicines. The killing, captured during a Facebook livestream, triggered widespread anger and demands for an independent investigation.
His father, Bhim Singh, has alleged that Jhota spoke to DSP Gill before approaching the medical store with an elderly man who had allegedly purchased intoxicating medicines there. The family has sought scrutiny of the officer’s response and the circumstances preceding the shooting.
The family and action committee had also demanded action against drug inspector Naresh Kumar over the handling of the medical store’s licence and previous complaints concerning its operations. These allegations remain subject to investigation; suspension does not establish criminal culpability.
The action committee maintains that suspension alone does not meet its demand for accountability and has sought dismissal of the officials it holds responsible for alleged lapses.
Under mounting public pressure, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced the decision to refer the murder investigation to the CBI on October 20, ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to the bereaved family.
The central agency subsequently re-registered the case and sent investigators to Mansa to obtain police records and begin its inquiry. The family has demanded that the investigation examine a possible wider conspiracy and alleged protection enjoyed by the accused, rather than remain confined to the shooting.
Wednesday’s negotiations were held at the Zila Parishad complex with the government panel and senior police officers. During the meeting, authorities announced compensation of ₹5 lakh each for four people injured in the shooting, in addition to the government’s earlier commitment to bear their treatment expenses.
Assurances were also given regarding withdrawal of cases associated with earlier protests involving Jhota and his father. Nevertheless, no final agreement emerged on the outstanding demands or arrangements for the last rites.
The continuing deadlock shows that the CBI referral and successive suspensions have yet to restore the family’s confidence. Further negotiations are now required to resolve the outstanding issues while the independent investigation proceeds.