Punjab Newsline | Mansa
Punjab bandh on October 15, called in protest against the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, has witnessed a widespread impact across the state. Amid the protests, Punjab Police has suspended the Station House Officer (SHO) of Mansa's City Police Station-2, Beant Kaur, with immediate effect.
The action comes after Jhota's father, Bhim Singh, alleged that despite his son repeatedly filing complaints and providing information about drug smugglers, the police failed to take appropriate action.
In connection with the Jhota murder case, DIG Harjit Singh said that action would be taken against any police officer or personnel found guilty of negligence.
Meanwhile, the bandh has triggered tense situations in several parts of Punjab.
In Ludhiana, a dispute broke out between bandh supporters and market shopkeepers at Gurd Mandi in Chaura Bazaar. The confrontation reportedly occurred when protestors and traders came face to face during the shutdown.
In Faridkot, protesters apprehended a young man and handed him over to the police after allegedly recovering suspected ammunition from him. Further details about the incident are awaited.
The Chandigarh-Kharar highway has also been blocked by protesters, disrupting traffic movement. Protesters reportedly stopped police vehicles as well, forcing police officials to return to Chandigarh.
The statewide shutdown has been called to demand justice for Parvinder Singh Jhotta and accountability over the circumstances surrounding his murder.
