Mansa, Oct 30 (PTI) Punjab Congress president Pargat Singh on Friday joined protesters demanding justice for anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, who was murdered in Mansa town over a fortnight ago.
He also slammed the Bhagwant Mann-led government, saying that it remains busy with advertisements and hollow claims when Punjab’s youth are falling victim to drugs.
Questioning the government’s claims on its action against drugs, he asked, “If drugs are being eradicated, what about families being devastated every day?”
The Congress chief said people are being forced to take to the streets to demand justice for Jhota, who had raised his voice against drugs.
“This is clear evidence of the government’s failure. A government that claims to be eliminating drugs has failed to deliver justice even to those fighting against this menace. Justice must be ensured for Jhota. Safety of those raising voices against drugs must be guaranteed,” he said.
During his visit to Mansa, Singh also stopped by the residence of Daljit Singh in Bhamme Kalan village.
Thirty-five-year-old Daljit Singh was found dead in Mansa on Monday, with his family claiming that he died of a drug overdose. Police have countered the claims and booked a murder case against three individuals.
Singh expressed his condolences to Daljit’s mother and wife.
A mother has lost her son, a wife has lost her life partner, and children have been left without their father’s support, he said, asking, “Does the chief minister have any answer to these tears and shattered families?”
The Congress leader said that before coming to power, the Aam Aadmi Party had promised a drug-free Punjab, but today it is running away from that commitment.
Punjab Congress will not abandon drug-affected families and will continue its struggle to secure justice for the families of Parvinder Singh Jhota and Daljit Singh, he said.
Singh said a government that cannot protect the lives of its youth has no moral right to remain in power.
“Punjab will tolerate no more dead bodies, shattered families or government lies. Bhagwant Mann must answer to the people, take responsibility for his government’s failure, and resign,” he said.
Over a fortnight after Jhota’s murder, his family has refused to allow his post-mortem until their various demands, including Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s resignation, are met.
On Wednesday, a joint action committee seeking justice for Jhota gave a call to gherao AAP MLAs on October 31. PTI SUN RUK
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