'Liveliest in the group': 21-yr-old farmer was lone breadwinner

Shubh Karan Singh, 21, a teenage protester during the 2020-21 farm protests, became the first farmer to die in the ongoing farmer agitation, died of injuries from what officials described as a "bullet", without clarifying if it was a rubber bullet or a normal bullet, with his death likely making it more difficult for the government and farmers to arrive at a settlement.

- Prawesh Lama

Singh's death was confirmed by a local hospital, Punjab government, and farm groups. "He was brought dead, and on initial examination it appears that he was hit by a bullet. We will be able to ascertain the nature of the bullet only after a post-mortem," said HS Rekhi, medical superintendent of Patiala-based Rajindra Hospital.

Soon after the death, farmers decided to "stall the march" for two days. "We have decided to put our march to Delhi on hold till Friday (February 23) because a large number of farmers have been injured in police action and one farmer has been killed. There are issues of cremation, treatment and compensation etc. That's why we have decided to stall the march to Delhi till Friday," said Sarwan Singh Pandher, coordinator of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha.