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On a day-long visit to Punjab Tuesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah met families of three people whose deaths have been attributed to the state’s drug menace. He said he had never felt so sad in his life and assured the families of justice, with a thorough investigation into the deaths.

The BJP has made Punjab’s drug problem one of its main planks in the poll-bound state.

The three deceased whose families Shah met were anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, who was murdered in broad daylight, Gulzar Singh, who committed suicide, and Bikramjit Singh, who was killed.

Hours before Shah arrived in Punjab, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced that the state government was handing over the investigation into Jhota’s murder to the CBI. Shah then told the family that a CBI team would reach Mansa by Wednesday noon to take charge of the investigation.

The son of retired Armyman Bhim Singh, dairy farmer Jhota was shot dead on October 13. Having fought drug addiction himself as a college student, Jhota was a prominent anti-drug activist locally, and would put up videos on social media of medical shops allegedly selling prescription medicines illegally to addicts. He also tried to get young people off drugs by getting them interested in sports.

The family has refused to carry out Jhota’s cremation till they are assured of a thorough probe. It has also rejected government compensation and employment offers.

Bhim Singh said Shah told them during his visit that the CBI would take over the case.

Those arrested for Jhota’s killing include alleged shooter Ashwani Kumar, his wife Neelam Rani, his cousin Vipin Kumar and an associate, Laadi.

Announcing the CBI probe Tuesday, CM Mann said: “We stand firmly with Parvinder Singh Jhota’s father and his family at all times as they fight against drugs. Respecting the family’s demand, we are handing over this case to the CBI… We will not back down from taking whatever stringent steps are necessary to make Punjab drug-free.”

A daily wager from Tur Banjara village in Sangrur, the CM’s home district, Gulzar died by suicide on September 7 after allegedly consuming poison.

Gulzar’s family said he was fighting a desperate battle to keep his eldest son off drugs, and that he was harassed after he posed questions regarding the easy availability of drugs to Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema during the latter’s visit to their village.

The family has accused local authorities of failing to address the state’s drug concerns and demanded a case against Cheema, blaming the alleged harassment for Gulzar’s suicide. It has also questioned the “rush” to cremate him, claiming it was done without their consent. Officials said a judicial inquiry has not found any of the allegations to be true.

Five people – Baljit Singh, Gona Singh, Sukhdev Singh, Vicky Singh and Baljinder Singh – have been arrested in connection with the case.

Mohanjeet Singh Sheron, an activist who was present at the meeting, said: “The Home Minister promised action in accordance with the family’s demands… He listened and promised justice. It is Jungle Raj in Punjab.”

Sheron said he also told Shah about the alleged custodial torture he himself had faced at the hands of the Punjab Police, after he showed a black flag to CM Mann during a public function in Sangrur.

Bikramjit, who did odd jobs to make a living, was killed on October 16 in Mari Panwan village in Gurdaspur, after he and his companions allegedly confronted some individuals selling drugs. A group armed with sharp weapons assaulted them, leaving Bikramjit critically injured. He died during treatment.

The FIR names Jugraj Singh alias Kalu, Shubh, Prince, Balwinder Kaur and Manjit Kaur, along with another unidentified person.

After meeting the family, the Union minister said: “The killing raises serious questions about the safety of people who oppose the drug trade… They are not safe (in Punjab).”