Bathinda: Political functionaries cutting across party lines hit out at the AAP govt in Punjab over the killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa on Tuesday.Punjab Congress president Pargat Singh and former president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring accused the state govt of miserably failing to contain the drug menace and law and order. Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon said the state govt had proved to be a failure in controlling the drug menace. “Law and order hasbeen worsening by the day under AAP govt,” he added.Anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota was shot dead in Mansa on Tuesday morning, while four others were injured after a chemist allegedly opened fire. The chemist, Ashwani Kumar, allegedly fired inside his shop when confronted by Jhota and others.When Jhota tried to flee, Kumar reportedly followed him into the market and fired at him. The medical store owner then returned to his shop, allegedly brandishing a handgun without fear.Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal also hit out at the AAP govt and said the anti-drug campaigner had to pay with his life for speaking out against narcotics and habit-forming drugs.Incarcerated MP Amritpal Singh’s mother Balwinder Kaur, while lambasting the AAP govt, said Jhota wanted to join Akali Dal Waris Punjab De and he had visited them at Jallupur Khera village some days ago.Akal Takht jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, taking strong note of the killing, said the murder was a “very serious matter”. “Authorities should take serious note of it,” he added.Aam Aadmi Party has termed the killing a result of personal enmity. Finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema and AAP Punjab president Aman Arora said the incident is condemnable and unfortunate, but it was more of an incident that happened due to personal enmity. No accused will be spared, they said.
