THE NEWS FREEDOM
CHANDIGARH, FEBRUARY 21
Expressing outrage over the death of 21-year-old Shubhkaran Singh in Haryana police firing, farmer unions announced on Wednesday the postponement of their Delhi Chalo march for two days. This decision aims to address the incident that occurred in Khanauri. Speaking at a press conference at the Shambu border, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said that discussions would be held regarding the Khanauri incident, with a temporary halt to the march towards Delhi. “We will maintain peace during this period,” he added.
He said that the subsequent steps would be determined following discussions with leaders of the farming community and the next course of action would be informed after two days.
Tension flared at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders of Punjab and Haryana as police used tear gas multiple times to disperse protesting farmers. Tragically, a young farmer lost his life in the incident. Reports reveal that over 100 farmers suffered injuries in various clashes along the Punjab and Haryana borders as they attempted to breach barricades and march towards Delhi and the police resorted to tear gas and rubber bullets to quell the unrest.
Reacting to the incident, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann expressed deep shock and outrage over the death of young farmer Shubhkaran Singh during clashes with Haryana police and pledged to ensure “exemplary punishment” for those responsible. Mann condemned the incident as a “gruesome murder” and accused the Union and Haryana governments of high-handedness in dealing with protesting farmers. He said he witnessed the video of Singh’s death, claiming it showed the youth peacefully exercising his democratic right.
“An FIR will be registered against those responsible, and I assure you they will face exemplary punishment,” Mann declared. He also announced social and economic assistance for Singh’s family.
ਅੱਜ ਖਨੌਰੀ ਬਾਰਡਰ 'ਤੇ ਵਾਪਰੀ ਘਟਨਾ ਦੌਰਾਨ 21 ਸਾਲਾਂ ਨੌਜਵਾਨ ਸ਼ੁੱਭਕਰਨ ਦੇ ਅਕਾਲ ਚਲਾਣੇ ਦੀ ਖਬਰ ਮਿਲੀ… ਬੜੇ ਦੁੱਖ ਦੀ ਗੱਲ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਮੇਰੇ ਸੂਬੇ ਦਾ ਨੌਜਵਾਨ ਇਸ ਦੁਨੀਆ 'ਚ ਨਹੀਂ ਰਿਹਾ… ਮੈਂ ਕੇਂਦਰ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਨੂੰ ਪੁੱਛਣਾ ਚਾਹੁੰਦਾ ਹਾਂ…ਕਿ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦਾ ਕਿਸਾਨ ਆਪਣੇ ਦੇਸ਼ ਦੀ ਹੀ ਰਾਜਧਾਨੀ 'ਚ ਨਹੀਂ ਜਾ ਸਕਦਾ ? pic.twitter.com/kc8dAgKwjS
— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) February 21, 2024
Before the Chief Minister, Punjab’s Chief Secretary, Anurag Verma, appealed to the central government to address the demands of farm unions with increased empathy, aiming for a mutually agreeable resolution. Following Chief Minister Mann’s directive, Chief Secretary Verma engaged in correspondence with the Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, as stated in an official release by the Punjab government. Verma contested allegations that Punjab permitted a large gathering at the Shambhu and Dhabi-Gujran borders, asserting instead that the state police had prevented farmers en route to Delhi from entering Haryana through the use of force.
In contrast, the Haryana Police, through a video message, claimed that 12 police officials were “seriously injured” amid unrest at the Data Singh-Khanori border. They alleged that protesters encircled the police, poured chili powder on stubble and set it ablaze, and attacked officers with sticks and maces, along with pelting stones.
In response to the situation in the morning, Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda invited farmer leaders for discussions on various issues, including MSP demands, crop diversification, stubble management, and FIR, in the fifth round of talks.
सरकार चौथे दौर के बाद पांचवें दौर में सभी मुद्दे जैसे की MSP की माँग, crop diversification, पराली का विषय, FIR पर बातचीत के लिए तैयार है।मैं दोबारा किसान नेताओं को चर्चा के लिए आमंत्रित करता हूँ। हमें शांति बनाये रखना जरूरी है।@AHindinews@DDNewsHindi@DDKisanChannel
— Arjun Munda(मोदी का परिवार) (@MundaArjun) February 21, 2024
Four rounds of talks have already occurred between Union ministers, farmer unions, and Punjab Chief Minister. However, the farmers remain adamant about their demands, including legal MSP guarantees for all 23 crops, not just a select few as proposed by the government. They seek acceptance of the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations, pensions for farmers and laborers, and farm debt waivers, expressing dissatisfaction with the government’s offer.