In India, a Sikh activist was shot dead and four other persons were injured by unknown gunmen in Punjab. Anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota was shot dead, while four of his companions sustained bullet injuries at a chemist shop in Mansa town on Wednesday morning. A 5.48-minute live video was streamed on Jhota's Facebook page, in which bullets were seen being fired. Jhota and his companions were reportedly seen arguing with the medical store owner over sale of drugs in the video. 

All five were taken to the Civil Hospital in Mansa, where Jhota was declared brought dead. Mansa Civil Hospital SMO Dr Gurmail Singh told media that Jhota had sustained three bullet injuries — two in the abdomen and one in the thigh. "One of the bullets had pierced Parvinder's liver, leading to his death," he said. The other injured persons sustained minor bullet injuries, the SMO added.

Meanwhile, a large number of people started gathering at the Civil Hospital following the incident. The incident has once again highlighted the deep-rooted drug menace in Punjab and the dangers faced by activists raising voice against the drug mafia. Pro-Khalistan activists have already been accusing the Modi-led Indian regime of deliberately intoxicated Sikh youth to weaken the struggle for independent Sikh land.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)