Farmers Declare Two-Day Pause on Delhi March

One Farmer Dies Amidst Protest

A farmer passed away at the Khanauri border in Haryana, where clashes occurred between protesting farmers and the police today. The All-India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) claimed the farmer died during police action, which the Haryana police have refuted. The protesting farmers have halted their march to Delhi for two days, but the sit-in protest will persist.

A doctor at a Patiala hospital, where Shubh Karan Singh was admitted, reported that he had suffered a bullet wound. A post-mortem examination is pending.

"Three patients have arrived from Khanauri. One was deceased upon arrival, while the other two are stable, exhibiting signs of possible bullet injuries... although confirmation is pending," stated Dr. Rekhi, the Senior Medical Officer at Patiala's Rajendra Hospital.

"The individual who was deceased upon arrival had a bullet injury to the head. However, further details such as the size of the bullet can only be confirmed after the postmortem examination," he added.

The farmers claimed that the Haryana Police had fired tear gas shells at them to prevent their advancement and breach of the barricades at the border. Despite the government's proposal being rejected by farmer leaders in the fourth round of talks aimed at resolving the deadlock, the march continued.

The Haryana Police have refuted any reports of a death. A post from the police handle on X, formerly Twitter, stated, "According to the information received so far, no farmer has died today... This is just a rumour. There is information about two policemen and one protester being injured at the Data Singh-Khanori border, who are undergoing treatment."

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann confirmed the death, expressing his sorrow. Describing his role as the interlocutor, he said, "As soon as I came to know and saw the video, I got goosebumps, I felt very sad," he informed reporters.

Following the death, two farmer groups issued statements expressing anger and pointing blame at both the state police and the Central government.

Shubh Karan Singh, aged 23, hailed from Bathinda. According to farmer leader Kaka Singh Kotra, he was the son of Charanjit Singh, residents of village Valo in Bathinda district. His body has been preserved at the Rajendra Hospital.

Bhagwant Mann stated that the young farmer owned 2 acres of land and was raised by his grandmother after his mother's early demise. He had two sisters. "Why did he need to go there? He had to go to Delhi, why did he have to stay at Khanauri or Shambhu," remarked Bhagwant Mann.