Anti-drug activist killed in Mansa shooting

Anti-drug activist Parminder Singh Jhota was shot and killed during a confrontation at a medical store in Mansa on October 13, while broadcasting live on Facebook, and four companions were also injured, reports said. Police were investigating the shooting, and the store owner, Ashwini Kumar, was accused of firing. The allegation had not been independently established. A Facebook Live video captured an argument at the shop before gunshots were heard. Jhota had gone there with companions to challenge the owner over alleged sales of addictive drugs, according to reports. The footage documents the confrontation and gunfire, but does not establish who fired or why. Jhota was taken to Mansa Civil Hospital, where he died. A senior medical officer said he had three bullet injuries. Reports said four companions were also hurt; accounts differed on the severity, with one describing their injuries as minor and another reporting that one was seriously injured. The medical-store owner was identified in reports as the accused shooter. Police were investigating the circumstances of the confrontation and the firing.