Union Home Minister Amit Shah posted on X on Sunday, 18 October 2026, announcing that he will visit Punjab on Tuesday, 20 October to meet the families of three men who recently died after raising their voices against drug smugglers. He said he would travel to Mansa, Sangrur and Gurdaspur.
Source: ANI, 18 Oct 2026
In the post, Shah accused the AAP government of pushing Punjab into a "quagmire of drugs" — an allegation, not an established fact — and said the smugglers peddling "white powder" operate under the AAP government's patronage, again an allegation. He said the grief of the families could not be expressed in words, that attempts to suppress voices raised against the drug trade would never succeed, and that the Government of India would "handpick drug peddlers and send them behind bars," continuing until the entire country, including Punjab, is freed from the drug trade.
Source: Shah's X post via ANI / LatestLY, 18 Oct 2026
The three men are: anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, shot dead in a busy Mansa market on 13 October 2026 — the alleged shooter, medical-store owner Ashwani Kumar, was subsequently arrested; Bikramjit Singh, who died in an attack in Mari Panwan village in Gurdaspur (Sri Hargobindpur police station), in which Nishan Singh and Gurmukh Singh were also critically injured; and Gulzar Singh of Sangrur (Dirba), who died by suicide, allegedly after consuming poison under pressure.
Source: The Unmute English, 18 Oct 2026
BJP leader and former Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu publicly confirmed the visit on social media, calling it Shah's second Punjab visit in about 20 days — after the 30 September Jalandhar visit that concluded the Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra. The Ministry of Home Affairs had earlier sought detailed reports from the Punjab government on all three incidents.
Source: Punjab News / Bittu confirmation, 18 Oct 2026
The action committee formed over Jhota's killing decided late on Sunday to oppose Shah's proposed Mansa visit and his planned meeting with the victim's family. Committee leader Hardeep Singh Sidhu said they would urge Jhota's father, Bhim Singh, not to meet Shah. The committee questioned the Centre's own role, arguing that the spread of drugs across the country cannot be treated as the Punjab government's responsibility alone. Its first meeting with the Mansa district administration is scheduled for 19 October.
Source: Khel Ja, 18 Oct 2026
What is solid
- Shah announced on X on 18 Oct 2026 that he will visit Punjab on 20 Oct 2026
- Meetings planned in Mansa, Sangrur and Gurdaspur with the families of Jhota, Gulzar Singh and Bikramjit Singh
- Ravneet Singh Bittu publicly confirmed the visit
- The Jhota action committee decided to oppose the Mansa visit and urge Bhim Singh not to meet Shah
- The three deaths: Jhota shot dead in Mansa on 13 Oct; Bikramjit Singh killed in the Gurdaspur attack; Gulzar Singh died by suicide in Sangrur
What is only claimed
- Shah's claim that drug smugglers operate under the AAP government's patronage — allegation
- Shah's claim that the AAP government pushed Punjab into a drug quagmire — political allegation
- Kejriwal's claim that the BJP facilitated narcotics smuggling and protected gangsters — counter-allegation
AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Friday counter-attacked the BJP, alleging — a counter-allegation — that the BJP had facilitated narcotics smuggling, extended protection to gangsters, and colluded with former coalition partners to promote the drug trade during their past rule in the state. The exchange is part of the escalating political debate over the drug issue.
Source: ANI via LatestLY, 18 Oct 2026
No official detailed itinerary has been confirmed beyond the announcement and party sources. Jhota's family and supporters continue their protest in Mansa seeking justice, and his body has reportedly not yet been cremated.
Source: Punjab News, 18 Oct 2026
Tuesday, 20 October • Mansa–Sangrur–Gurdaspur • three families • action committee to oppose