Farmers Protest Resumes: Tragic Incident Leads to Halting of \’Delhi Chalo\’ March

THE TIMES OF INDIA | Feb 22, 2024, 16:34:14 IST

The recent resumption of the farmers’ protest on the Punjab-Haryana border during the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march took a tragic turn as a young protester lost his life and several others sustained injuries. The unrest escalated when the Haryana Police deployed tear gas shells to prevent protesters from breaching barricades at Shambhu and Khanauri.

Tragic Loss of Life

The deceased farmer, identified as Subhkaran Singh (21) from Baloke village in Punjab’s Bathinda district, suffered a fatal head injury during the clashes. Medical authorities at Patiala-based Rajindra Hospital confirmed the unfortunate incident. In addition to the loss of life, around 12 police personnel also sustained injuries in the clashes involving lathis and stones.

Temporary Halt of Protest

In response to the tragic events at Khanauri, where the fatal clash occurred, farmer leaders decided to temporarily suspend the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march for two days. Sarwan Singh Pandher, a prominent farmer leader, stated that the next course of action would be decided on Friday evening.

Government’s Call for Further Talks

Agriculture minister Arjun Munda, part of the panel engaging with farmer leaders, urged for further discussions and appealed for peace. The deceased protester, Subhkaran Singh, died at Khanauri, with farmers alleging the use of rubber bullets and tear gas by the Haryana police. The government has invited farmers for the 5th round of discussions in an attempt to find resolutions through negotiations.

Incidents in Other Locations

Meanwhile, in Muzaffarnagar, a farmer attempted self-immolation near a protest site due to a loan-related issue. The farmer, identified as Brijpal, suffered minor burn injuries and was promptly taken to a local hospital for treatment. In Ghaziabad, farmers led by Rakesh Tikait submitted a 15-point memorandum addressing various farmer issues and warned of barricading villages if the government obstructs their path to Delhi.

The recent developments in the ongoing farmers’ protest highlight the escalating tensions and the need for peaceful resolutions through dialogue and understanding.