Tikait Urges Jhota Cremation as Family Seeks Mansa SSP's Transfer; Oct 25 Protests Setਟਿਕੈਤ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਝੋਟਾ ਦੇ ਸਸਕਾਰ ਦੀ ਅਪੀਲ, ਪਰਿਵਾਰ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਐੱਸਐੱਸਪੀ ਦੀ ਬਦਲੀ ਦੀ ਮੰਗ

Rakesh Tikait met the family of slain anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa on Saturday and urged them to allow the cremation, but the deadlock continued as the family demanded the transfer of Mansa's senior police officer. The action committee says brooms will be burnt across Punjab on Sunday, 25 October.

What did Tikait say in Mansa?

Bharatiya Kisan Union national spokesperson Rakesh Tikait met Jhota's father, ex-serviceman Bhim Singh, and appealed to him to allow the last rites, The Tribune and The New Indian Express reported. He called Jhota the first martyr of the anti-drug campaign and asked for a people's movement to rid Punjab of drugs.

Why is the deadlock continuing?

Jhota was shot dead on 13 October and his body has stayed in the Mansa civil hospital mortuary without a post-mortem, Hindustan Times reported. After a third round of talks with a government panel of three IAS officers ended inconclusively on Friday, Bhim Singh demanded the transfer of Mansa SSP Vaibhav Chaudhary and refused further meetings in the officer's presence, according to The New Indian Express. The Insaaf Committee says there will be no autopsy or cremation without the resignations of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and DGP Gaurav Yadav.

What has the government offered?

Officials say they have accepted 12 of the committee's 14 demands in writing, including a trauma centre in Jhota's name and compensation for the four injured, Babushahi and Rediff reported. The family says the key demands remain unmet.

What is planned for 25 October?

The action committee said preparations are complete for statewide broom-burning protests, the broom being the AAP's symbol, and for resolutions against drug trafficking, Babushahi reported. It has appealed to farmers, labourers, employees and youth to join.

Who is leading the family's side now?

Jhota's wife, Manpreet Kaur, is taking the decisions on the protest, The Indian Express reported, citing a statement by her father-in-law.

Has Jhota's body been cremated?

No. As of Saturday, 24 October, the body remains in the Mansa civil hospital mortuary without a post-mortem.

What is the Insaaf Committee demanding?

It wants the resignations of the CM and the DGP before it allows an autopsy, and now the transfer of the Mansa SSP.

What happens on 25 October?

Statewide protests in which brooms will be burnt and anti-drug resolutions passed.