As farmers continue protest against government of India, a 24-year-old protester was grievously injured and later succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday after a clash with the Haryana Police on the Khanauri border.
Shubh Karan Singh, the young farmer, was taken to the hospital where he died, the hospital sources confirmed.
This took place in a major escalation of the protest which has been going on since February 13 with the Punjab farmers announcing a march to Delhi which was stopped and the protesters were not allowed to enter Haryana from Punjab.
Before the confirmation from the hospital about the death of a protester, the Haryana Police on Wednesday afternoon said no farmer has died yet in the clash on the Shambhu border contrary to what has been claimed on various platforms as the farmers protesting against the Centre intensified their defence against the Haryana Police.
“This is just a rumour. Two policemen and one protester received injuries on the Data Singh-Khanauri border and are under treatment,” the Haryana Police posted on X.
The situation at both the Khanauri border and Shambhu border turned tense on Wednesday as the farmers decided to break the barriers put up by the Haryana Police after several rounds of talks with the central leaders did not reach any breakthrough. To stop the protesters, the Haryana police hurled tear gas shells at the protesters.
Farmers’ group AIKS (All-India Kisan Sabha) alleged he died during the police action, which the Haryana police have denied. The farmers have also suspended their protest march to Delhi for two days, though the sit-in protest will continue.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann confirmed the death. Describing how he was acting as the interlocuter, he said, “As soon as I came to know and saw the video, I got goosebumps, I felt very sad,” he told reporters.
After the death, farmer groups issued angry statements, blaming the state police and the GoI.
The farmers have been protesting with a series of demands, which include enactment of a law to guarantee a Minimum Support Price for all crops, farmer loan waiver and the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission recommendation.
