- Accused Ashvini's shop set ablaze by agitated crowd.
- Parvinder Singh Jhota's murder sparked widespread tensions.
- Police arrested Ashvini, demolished illegal construction.
Jagran Correspondent, Mansa: Parvinder Singh Jhota's broad daylight murder has sparked tensions in Punjab's Mansa as an agitated crowd, including Nihang Sikhs, set ablaze the medical shop of the accused, Ashvini. The protesters started gathering outside the accused's shop since Wednesday morning.
A heavy security force has been deployed in the area, with Mansa SSP Vaibhav Chaudhary personally handling the situation. However, tensions escalated when the protesters vandalised the shop before setting it on fire. Earlier in the day, Ashvini was arrested from Salasar in Rajasthan's Churu district in a joint operation by Punjab and Rajasthan Police.
The mob went unruly after the Mansa administration demolished illegal construction around his house and shop as a large crowd gathered on site.
Present on site, Mansa SSP Vaibhav Chaudhary said, "We are here to maintain law and order. The administration is taking action. We received information regarding this matter, so we have come here with a heavy police force to maintain law and order. We received information regarding illegal construction here, and this action is being taken in connection with that."
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Meanwhile, the murder-sparked tensions have spilt over across the state as Tarsem Singh, father of jailed Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh, accused the administration of detaining several people planning to reach Mansa.
Speaking to news agency ANI, Tarsem Singh expressed grief over Jhotha's murder and accused the Punjab government of failing to stop drug trafficking and suppressing those raising their voice against drugs.
Tarsem Singh alleged that instead of protecting those who speak out against drug abuse, they are being targeted. Referring to Amritpal Singh's anti-drug campaign, he claimed that many who spoke out against this evil have faced police action and imprisonment.
Congress leader Amrinder Singh Raja Warring on Wednesday met the family of Jhota and demanded that the government recognise him as a martyr. Jhota's mother said that he always fought against the drug menace in the state, adding that she will take revenge.