Punjab Bandh on October 15 Over Jhota Killing; SGPC, Parties, Farmers Back Shutdownਝੋਟਾ ਕਤਲ ਨੂੰ ਲੈ ਕੇ 15 ਅਕਤੂਬਰ ਨੂੰ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਬੰਦ, ਸ਼੍ਰੋਮਣੀ ਕਮੇਟੀ, ਪਾਰਟੀਆਂ ਅਤੇ ਕਿਸਾਨਾਂ ਦਾ ਸਮਰਥਨ

Punjab will observe a statewide bandh on Thursday, October 15, over the killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa, with the shutdown backed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), opposition parties and farmer unions.

The bandh, called by a joint action committee and endorsed by Jhota's father Bhim Singh, will run from 6 am to 5 pm. Organisers say emergency services will not be stopped: ambulances will be allowed to pass and patients will be able to get medicines.

What is closed and where disruptions are expected?

The SGPC says its offices and institutions will remain closed on October 15 in solidarity with the demand for justice, its president Harjinder Singh Dhami said. Markets and shops are expected to be affected in areas where the call draws strong support, and road traffic and public transport may face delays.

Protests and road blockades have been announced at several points in Moga district, including Main Chowk, Baghapurana Chowk, Badhani Road, Ajitwal Road, Dharamkot Chowk and Samalsar. Police, meanwhile, began barricading the Barnala-Mansa road and other routes on Wednesday ahead of an expected large gathering in Mansa.

Who is backing the shutdown?

Support has come from across the political and religious spectrum. The Shiromani Akali Dal endorsed the call, with senior leader Daljit Singh Cheema announcing the decision and party president Sukhbir Singh Badal appealing for peaceful support. Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon said party workers would join the shutdown, and Punjab Congress president Pargat Singh appealed to Congress workers to support it. Among farmer unions, BKU (Kadian) and BKU Ekta Sidhupur have announced their backing.

What are the protesters demanding?

The joint action committee is demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the killing, the resignation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the removal of Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav. It has also sought a post-mortem examination by a panel from PGIMER, Chandigarh.

Bhim Singh has said that if their conscience awakens, the Chief Minister and the DGP should resign on their own. The family says the first information report was registered nearly 30 hours after the killing, which it calls a serious lapse, and protesters in Mansa say Jhota's last rites will not be performed until the demands are met.

How did Jhota die?

Jhota, 45, was shot dead on Tuesday, October 13, at a medical store in Mansa while confronting its owner over the alleged sale of intoxicating medicines. The confrontation was being livestreamed on Facebook, and four of his associates were injured in the firing. The accused shop owner, Ashwani Kumar, was later arrested from Salasar in Rajasthan.

What has the government said?

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann called the killing unfortunate and said those responsible would face the strictest punishment. He said the main accused had been arrested within 24 hours and that his government would neither support nor protect anyone involved in the drug trade.

When is the Punjab bandh and how long will it last?

The bandh is on Thursday, October 15, from 6 am to 5 pm across Punjab. Emergency services, ambulances and access to medicines are exempt, according to the organisers.

Why has a bandh been called over Jhota's killing?

A joint action committee formed after the Mansa killing says a CBI probe is needed and is seeking the resignations of the Chief Minister and the DGP, along with a PGIMER panel post-mortem. The call has drawn support from the SGPC, SAD, BJP, Congress and farmer unions.

Will SGPC institutions be open on October 15?

No. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami said the committee's offices and institutions will remain closed on October 15 in solidarity with the bandh.