More than 100 farmer, labour, employee, teacher and student organisations have jointly announced to gherao Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s private residence in Sangrur on November 5, escalating their agitation over the killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota and the state government’s handling of the drug menace.

The decision was taken at a four-hour meeting convened by the joint action committee in Mansa. The organisations, including the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), SKM (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have also demanded a crackdown on drug trafficking, the unconditional release of arrested leaders, including Lakha Sidhana, and the resignation of the Chief Minister and the Director General of Police.

Addressing a joint press conference after the meeting, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said the organisations had unanimously decided to mobilise people from across Punjab for the November 5 protest.…