Days after Jhota murder, Gurdaspur man dies in attack over ‘drug row’

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Two others injured in sharp-edged weapon assault in Madi Fawan village; police launch probe

Gurdaspur: Days after anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota was killed in Mansa, a 40-year-old man died after 10 to 15 men allegedly attacked him and two others with sharp-edged weapons in Madi Fawan village of Gurdaspur district on Thursday, reportedly following objections to alleged drug sales in the locality.

The incident has once again brought the issue of drug peddling and the safety of those opposing it into focus in Punjab. Jhota’s killing had triggered protests, including a statewide bandh on Thursday.

The deceased was identified as Bikramjit Singh. The two injured, Nishan Singh and Gurmukh Singh, were admitted to a Community Health Centre (CHC), where Bikramjit Singh died during treatment, according to the hospital doctor.

Gurmukh Singh, one of the injured, said villagers had raised concerns over suspected drug peddlers regularly gathering in a street, causing inconvenience to women. He alleged that the attack took place after some residents confronted the suspected drug sellers on Thursday.

According to the account, the attackers assaulted the three men with sharp-edged weapons, leaving them seriously injured on the road. Villagers subsequently took the victims to the health centre.

Station House Officer Sukhwinder Singh of the Sri Hargobindpur police station said the police had inspected the spot and initiated an investigation. The police were examining the circumstances surrounding the attack and the motive behind the killing.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has sought a report from the Punjab Government on Jhota’s killing, bringing renewed national attention to the state’s drug menace and law and order situation.

Jhota was shot dead in Mansa following a confrontation with a medical store owner over the alleged sale of addictive substances, according to reports. The accused was subsequently arrested.

The Gurdaspur attack comes amid heightened scrutiny of the Punjab Government’s efforts to tackle drug trafficking. The police investigation is underway to establish the circumstances of the latest incident and identify those responsible.