Chandigarh/Bathinda: Punjab govt on Monday announced a three-member panel of women IAS officers to coordinate with the family of slain anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota and the action committee demanding justice in the case.




Though the panel met Jhota’s father Bhim Singh, his widow Manpreet Kaur and action committee members, talks remained inconclusive.




Finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema said the officers would liaise with the family and the action committee, adding that cabinet ministers and other senior leaders were also willing to join the talks. On the demand for a CBI probe , he said Punjab Police was investigating the case and the accused had been arrested. He added that police would act on any further allegations or statements.




The meeting, held at the Mansa zila parishad office, was attended by Faridkot divisional commissioner Kanwalpreet Kaur Brar, former Mansa DC Apneet Kaur Riyait and current DC Navjot Kaur. Bathinda Range DIG Harjoit Singh and Mansa SSP Vaibhav Chaudhary also represented the govt.




After the meeting, Riyait said the panel had heard all demands and would place them before the govt for a decision. Another meeting could be held in a couple of days. “The meeting lasted for over an hour where we especially listened to Parminder Singh’s wife,” she said.




Action committee members Munish Babby, Gurlabh Singh Mahal and Manik Goyal said accepting only secondary demands would not be acceptable. The demands include the resignation of the chief minister and DGP and a CBI probe into Jhota’s killing. They also sought action against those allegedly defaming the deceased and his family.




The meeting came less than 24 hours before Union home minister Amit Shah ’s proposed visit to Mansa to meet Jhota’s family.




‘With folded hands’: Minister urges family to perform last rites




Punjab minister Aman Arora on Monday appealed to the family of slain activist Parminder Singh Jhota to “ensure his mortal remains are treated with dignity”. “What happened was deeply unfortunate. The state govt is prepared to consider any demand the family presents, and we urge them to engage in dialogue with the administration, and the govt. Parties should not politicise this tragedy. We appreciate Jhota’s father for standing up for this cause. Delaying the postmortem and cremation will not lead to a solution. The only way forward is a collective dialogue on how to prevent such tragedies in the future.”