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Statewide shutdown and protests in Punjab following anti-drug activist's murder

Nationwide · pinned on Mansa, India · Oct 15, 2026

Is it still on?

NOIt was a one-day action on Oct 15.

Last report · checked

Summary in three lines

Why they are protesting
Protesters are outraged over the daylight murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa and alleged government failure.
What they want
They are demanding a CBI probe into the killing, the resignations of the chief minister and DGP, and the dismissal of local police officials.
What changed
Oct 15: Markets closed, roads were blocked, and demonstrations were held across multiple cities during the statewide bandh.
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Both sides

What protesters want

  • CBI probe into the killing of Parvinder Singh Jhota
  • Resignation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann
  • Resignation of DGP Gaurav Yadav
  • Dismissal of local police officials and drug inspector

Organised by: Samyukta Kisan Morcha, Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, Congress, Akali Dal, BJP, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee

What authorities say

According to reports, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann vowed the strictest punishment for those involved in the murder. Police stated that adequate personnel had been deployed and the situation remained peaceful.12

The full story

Markets closed and normal life was disrupted across multiple districts in Punjab during a statewide bandh called in response to the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota. The call was initiated by the victim's father and backed by political parties, employee unions, and farmer organizations such as the Samyukta Kisan Morcha and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha. Demonstrators blocked roads, closed schools, made a toll plaza toll-free in Patiala, and staged rallies while burning effigies of the chief minister. Participants accused the state government of failing to control the drug menace and demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the killing, along with the resignations of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the Director General of Police. Authorities stated that adequate police personnel were deployed to maintain peace.

Timeline

  1. Shops, markets, and private schools remained closed across various districts of Punjab during the bandh.123

Pins sit on city centres, never on gathering points

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