Police in Punjab- the northern province in India, detained prominent activists and youth leaders Tuesday after a tense standoff erupted during a protest sparked by a suspected drug overdose.

Activists Lakha Sidhana, Bhana Sidhu, and Mohanjit Sheron were among those taken into custody at a demonstration site in the city of Mansa.

The confrontation broke out after local residents and family members of 32-year-old Daljit Singh attempted to march his body to the primary protest location. Singh was found dead earlier in the day in the nearby village of Bhamme Kalan. Relatives allege that unidentified individuals dumped his body along a village road after he suffered a fatal drug overdose.

The family initially blocked the main Mansa-Sirsa highway demanding justice before attempting to move the body into the city.

Security personnel erected heavy blockades across the area to intercept the procession, leading to heated arguments and physical scuffles between officers and demonstrators. Police moved in shortly after to disperse the crowd and detain key protest organizers.

Mansa Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Vaibhav Chaudhary defended the police response, stating that authorities would not tolerate lawlessness.

"No one will be allowed to take the law into their own hands," Chaudhary said, warning that strict legal action would be taken against anyone attempting to disrupt public order.

An investigation into the circumstances surrounding Singh's death remains ongoing.