Jhota Deadlock Ends After 22 Days as Family Agrees to Post-Mortem; Father Begins Fast at PGIMERਝੋਟਾ ਮਾਮਲੇ ਵਿੱਚ 22 ਦਿਨਾਂ ਦਾ ਗਤਿਰੋਧ ਖ਼ਤਮ, ਪਿਤਾ ਨੇ ਪੀਜੀਆਈ ਵਿੱਚ ਭੁੱਖ ਹੜਤਾਲ ਸ਼ੁਰੂ ਕੀਤੀ

The family of slain anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota has agreed to a post-mortem and cremation after a 22-day standoff with the Punjab government, and his body was taken to the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh late on Thursday night. Within hours of reaching the hospital, his father, Bhim Singh, began an indefinite hunger strike there, demanding the transfer of the Mansa police chief.

How the 22-day deadlock ended

Jhota was shot dead on 13 October inside a medical store in a busy market in Mansa. The store owner, Ashwani Kumar, allegedly opened fire after Jhota confronted him for selling addictive drugs to an elderly man. His body lay in the mortuary of the Civil Hospital in Mansa for more than three weeks while the family refused to allow a post-mortem, demanding the resignations of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav. The standoff drew continuous protests in Mansa, and several activists were arrested during the agitation.

What the government agreed to

The deadlock broke on Wednesday evening after a five-hour meeting between Jhota's family, the joint action committee and government representatives, including Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan and Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian. The government assured Rs 2 crore in compensation to the family and a government job for Jhota's wife. It also agreed to release the arrested protesters, including Lakha Sidhana and Mohanjit Singh Sheron, and withdraw the cases registered against them. The government accepted demands to set up a trauma centre named after Jhota at Khiala Kalan village and install his statue at a suitable place in Mansa. The action committee then called off its planned gherao of the chief minister's residence on 5 November.

Father's fast at PGIMER

After the agreement, the body was shifted by ambulance to PGIMER late on Thursday night. On Friday morning, Bhim Singh began an indefinite fast at the hospital, demanding the transfer of Mansa Senior Superintendent of Police Vaibhav Chaudhary. He said he would take only water and not eat a single grain of food. He also said the family did not want compensation or a government job, and that their fight against drugs would continue. Bhim Singh told reporters the family would return to Mansa with the body after the post-mortem, with the last rites expected on Friday or Saturday.

A case that became a political flashpoint

Jhota's killing has become a major political issue in Punjab. The state government has already handed the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation, and the family has sought a fast-tracked probe. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress leader Sachin Pilot, Punjab Congress chief Pargat Singh and Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal are among the leaders who have met the family. With Assembly elections due in Punjab early next year, the case has become politically sensitive for all sides.

How did Jhota die?

He was shot dead on 13 October inside a medical store in Mansa. The store owner allegedly fired at him after Jhota confronted him over the sale of addictive drugs.

Why did the family agree to the post-mortem?

After a five-hour meeting with the government, the family was assured compensation, a job for Jhota's wife, the release of arrested protesters and withdrawal of cases against them.

What is the father demanding now?

Bhim Singh is demanding the transfer of Mansa SSP Vaibhav Chaudhary and has begun an indefinite hunger strike at PGIMER in Chandigarh.