Punjab witnessed widespread protests and disruptions on Thursday as a state-wide bandh was observed over the killing of anti-drug activist Parwinder Singh Jhota. The shutdown began at 6 am following a call by his family and an action committee seeking justice in the case.
 

Farmers and members of various organisations blocked roads at several locations across the state. Protesters said emergency services, including ambulances, would be allowed to pass. The bandh was scheduled to continue until 5 pm.
 

Markets remained closed in several towns, while many private educational institutions declared a holiday. However, the impact varied from one district to another, with some areas reporting limited disruption during the morning.
 

Family Appeals for Support Despite Rain
 

Jhota’s father, former serviceman Bhim Singh, appealed to people seeking justice to come out in support of the bandh despite rain and hailstorms reported in some areas over the preceding hours.
 

Several farmers’ organisations, political parties and business groups backed the shutdown. In Mansa, the protest site near the Deputy Commissioner’s residence was flooded by rainwater, leaving tents and floor coverings submerged.
 

The action committee held a meeting and asked the district administration to drain the water so that the sit-in could continue. Bhim Singh also requested the Deputy Commissioner and the Municipal Council president to arrange for the removal of the accumulated water.
 

Jhota’s body remained at the Mansa Civil Hospital, with the post-mortem pending as the family had not yet given its consent.
 

Family and Action Committee Demand CBI Probe
 

The family and the action committee have sought the resignation of the Chief Minister and the Director General of Police (DGP), a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the murder, and the dismissal of the district drug inspector, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and Station House Officer (SHO) concerned.
 

They have also demanded the release of people detained in connection with the protests and called for the post-mortem to be conducted by a panel of doctors from the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh.
 

The action committee appealed to protesters to remain peaceful and urged the administration to take strict action under the law against anyone who took the law into their own hands.
 

How the Murder Took Place
 

Parwinder Singh Jhota was shot dead on Tuesday at a medical store in Mansa following an argument with a chemist over drugs, according to the report. The incident was livestreamed on Jhota’s Facebook page, triggering widespread anger. Four other people were also injured.
 

Police have said that two people, including the main accused, medical store owner Ashwani Kumar, were arrested. In a subsequent development reported on Thursday, Mansa police named Ashwani Kumar’s wife, Neelam Rani, along with Ladi Barnala and Vipin Garg in the case.
 

According to preliminary police findings cited by Deputy Inspector General Harjit Singh, Ashwani Kumar allegedly spoke to a family member on his mobile phone shortly before the shooting.
 

The killing was followed by further unrest in Mansa. On Wednesday, an angry crowd demolished and set fire to the accused’s shop. The civil administration also demolished the front portion of his house, citing earlier information about unauthorised construction.
 

Markets Shut in Several Districts
 

The bandh received a strong response in several parts of Punjab, although its impact was uneven.
 

In Mansa and nearby towns, including Bhikhi, Budhlada, Bareta, Boha, Sardulgarh and Jhunir, markets remained closed. Many private and government buses were also reported to be off the roads in the area, while schools experienced widespread disruption. A large gathering continued at the protest site despite the rain.
 

In Barnala, shops in Sadar Bazaar, Farwahi Bazaar, Handiaya, the SD College area and near the bus stand remained closed. Members of different organisations also held a protest march, demanding a thorough investigation and strict punishment for those involved in the murder.
 

Bhucho Mandi witnessed a complete market shutdown. Workers of Waris Punjab De staged a protest at the Lehra Bega toll plaza on the national highway and made it toll-free. They demanded justice for Jhota’s family and stringent punishment for the accused.
 

Markets were also reported to be completely shut in Kartarpur, Patti, Amar Garh and several border-area towns, including Bhikhiwind, Amarkot, Valtoha and Algo Kothi.
 

In Patran, farmers, labourers and members of different organisations blocked the Delhi-Sangrur national highway near Shaheed Bhagat Singh Chowk. Protesters demanded justice for the family and strict punishment for the accused. A similar sit-in was held near the bus stand in Mehal Kalan on the Ludhiana-Barnala road.
 

In Mohali, members of Waris Punjab De appealed to residents to join the bandh peacefully and unite against drug trafficking.
 

Mixed Response in Bathinda and Patiala
 

Bathinda’s main markets were closed during the morning, and several private schools remained shut. School vans did not operate, although government and private buses continued to run. Medical shops were seen open, and some shops reopened later in the day.
 

In Patiala district, the bandh received a mixed response, with support reported in Samana, Sanaur and rural areas. Members of Waris Punjab De blocked a road near Rohti bridges in Patiala rural.
 

However, Rakesh Gupta, Patiala district president of the Punjab Pradesh Vyapar Mandal, opposed the shutdown. While describing Jhota’s murder as tragic, he said closing businesses during the festive season and Navratri would cause financial losses to traders. He urged shopkeepers to keep their establishments open.
 

Ghanauli in Rupnagar district also saw a change during the day. Although shops were initially closed, the market had reopened by noon.
 

Farmers’ Leaders Reportedly Detained in Jalandhar
 

In Jalandhar, farmer leader Kulwinder Singh was reportedly detained at his residence ahead of a planned protest scheduled for 10 am. He later reached an area near the Jalandhar-Amritsar highway with Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) Doaba leader Sukhbir Singh and other supporters, where they were reportedly detained again.
 

Sukhbir Singh criticised the alleged detentions, arguing that farmer leaders should not be stopped from holding peaceful protests over Jhota’s killing. Kulwinder Singh also questioned the action against the protesters.
 

Police Commissioner Satinder Singh said the police had ensured that the highway remained free of blockades and that protesters had been moved aside to prevent traffic disruption. He said farmer organisations were cooperating with the police.
 

Jalandhar’s busy markets remained closed, and police took several representatives of Sikh organisations into custody near Guru Nanak Chowk, according to the report.
 

School Transport Disrupted Around Chandigarh
 

The bandh also affected school transport in and around Chandigarh. Several schools announced early closures, but buses carrying students towards Kharar, Banur, Zirakpur and other parts of Punjab became stranded on highways after protesters blocked roads.
 

Bhavan Vidyalaya in Sector 33, Chandigarh, released all classes at 12.15 pm instead of its usual dismissal times. The school said the decision was taken because buses returning from routes such as Kharar might not be available for a second trip later in the day.
 

Several buses from St Xavier’s School, Chandigarh, were also reportedly held up near Kharar. School authorities and bus operators appealed to protesters to allow students to travel, and some school buses were permitted to pass. Parents collecting their children also faced difficulties in some locations.
 

Schools in Dera Bassi likewise declared a holiday, sending students home after they had arrived for classes.
 

Young Man Dies of Electrocution in Ludhiana
 

In a separate incident during the protests, a young man identified as Jasandeep Singh, aged around 23 or 24, died after being electrocuted while removing a banner in the Jamalpur area on Chandigarh Road in Ludhiana.
 

The iron rod he was using reportedly came into contact with an overhead 11,000-volt high-tension electricity wire, causing his death. Police are investigating the incident. The situation at the site was reported to be peaceful.
 

Mansa Cancels Dussehra Celebrations
 

Meanwhile, the New Dussehra Committee in Mansa has decided not to hold this year’s Dussehra celebrations, scheduled for October 20, in view of the prevailing situation and the killing of Jhota.
 

Committee president Parveen Kumar Goyal said the decision was taken because of concerns about the current circumstances and the grief following the activist’s death. Mansa had remained shut for a third consecutive day on Thursday.
 

Protests Continue Across Punjab
 

In Amritsar, members of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee and other organisations staged protests near the Golden Gate and burned an effigy of the Punjab government. Leaders demanded the resignation of the Chief Minister and the DGP, accusing the government of failing to curb the spread of drugs.
 

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) also supported the bandh and kept its offices and other establishments closed.
 

Across Punjab, protesters continued to demand an impartial investigation into Jhota’s killing, action against those responsible and measures to tackle drug trafficking. While the shutdown disrupted markets, educational institutions and traffic in many areas, some towns reported a partial or mixed response.