THE NEWS FREEDOM
CHANDIGARH, FEBRUARY 22
Amidst mounting grievances within the farming community, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha pushes for legal recourse, seeking the registration of a case under section 302 of the Indian Penal Code against the Haryana Chief Minister, Manohar Lal Khattar, and Home Minister, Anil Vij, in related to the fatal shooting of farmer youth Shubhkaran Singh. Addressing the press in Chandigarh, farmer leader Balbir Singh Rajewal accuses Haryana Police of encroaching into Punjab territory, leading to gunfire and damage to their tractors. He further demands a judicial inquiry into the farmer’s death. He said farmers will take out tractor marches on highways on February 26 and hold an All India All Kisan Mazdoor Mahapanchayat at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi on March 14.
In response to the tragic loss of a young farmer at the Khanauri border, a wave of anger and sorrow grips the Punjab farmers’ protest movement. Farmer leaders intensify calls for justice and seek clarity from the government.
According to Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait’s statement to the media, it has been planned that on February 26, tractors will be taken to the highways leading towards Delhi. The intention is to enter both the state and central highways. He clarified that this is scheduled to be a one-day event, after which participants will return. Following this, meetings will be held across India. On March 14th, there is a planned event at Ram Leela ground in Delhi, which will be a tractor-less gathering. Tikait also commented on the government’s stance of not impeding their activities, expressing curiosity to see if they will indeed uphold this position.
At a separate press briefing in Patiala, Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee leader Sarvan Singh Pandher echoes demands for legal action under Section 302 against those accountable for Shubhkaran’s demise. Pandher condemns alleged trespass by Haryana security personnel and accuses them of vehicle vandalism.
Meanwhile, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal urges the Punjab government to posthumously honor Shubhkaran as a martyr and swiftly address reported damages inflicted by Haryana forces. Farmer leaders advocate for a widespread display of black flags on houses and vehicles in solidarity and protest against the tragic incident.
Meantime in an official statement, Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan also strongly condemns the brutal actions of the Haryana police against the farmers, deeming such behaviour utterly unacceptable. He urges the central government to promptly address all the legitimate grievances of the farmers, including the vital demand for the legalization of the Minimum Support Price (MSP). Additionally, Punjab Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh expresses deep outrage over the alleged killing of the young farmer, Shubhkaran Singh, reportedly at the hands of the Haryana Police. He calls for immediate intervention from the Union government in response to this distressing incident. He criticizes the actions of the Haryana Police, particularly highlighting the troubling timing of the violence, which occurred during a crucial period when farmer leaders were engaged in discussions regarding talks initiated by Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda.