Stir on hold as farmer killed in police action

Farm leaders on Wednesday paused their protests for two days after tensions building up over the past nine days boiled over into clashes between thousands of protesters and the police at the Punjab-Haryana border, leading to the death of a 21-year-old man at the Khanauri border.

- Karam Prakash, Sunil Rahar and Zia Haq

The farmer, identified by hospital officials as Bathinda resident Shubh Karan Singh, died of injuries from what officials described as a "bullet", without clarifying if it was a rubber bullet or a normal bullet. The death - the first such casualty due to direct police action across the 2020-21 farm stir and the ongoing agitation - was confirmed by a local hospital, Punjab government, and farm groups.

"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.

Doctors at Rajindra Hospital, where the deceased was rushed to, said that a post mortem examination will be conducted on Thursday, after which it will be ascertained if it was a rubber bullet or a normal bullet.

At least 100 others were injured in the violence on Wednesday, said police and farm leaders. Police in Haryana, too, said 12 security personnel were injured due to stone-pelting and chilly-laced stubble being hurled at them.

Pandher said that protest leaders will discuss future action and until then, all farmers will remain camped at the borders. He, however, warned that the death is likely to trigger an escalation and scupper future talks between the farmers and government.

In the evening, Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann confirmed the death and said that his state will file a first information report, or FIR, against the Haryana Police.

"After postmortem, a case will be registered. Those officials responsible for his death will have to face stringent action," said Mann in a video message this evening.

Haryana Police defended itself, blaming the farmers for escalating violence by attacking personnel with sticks and maces.