Farmers have suspended their ‘Dilli Chalo’ protest march but continue to stay at the Punjab-Haryana border until February 29. They plan to assess the situation before deciding on their next steps. They accuse the Haryana government of being involved in the recent violence and the death of Shubhkaran Singh, whom they consider a martyr.
Additionally, farmers insisted on lodging an FIR against Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij and the Jind SSP for the alleged ‘murder’ of Singh. Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring spearheaded a demonstration outside Sangrur police station. Accusations of police brutality emerged, as the brother of Punjabi youth Pritpal Singh claimed he was beaten while confined in a sack and deprived of adequate medical care.
Sarwan Singh Pandher, a prominent farmers’ leader, outlined the planned activities for the coming days:
February 24: A candle march aross the nation in slidarirty with the death of Shubhkaran Singh
February 25: Seminars addressing farmer-related issues at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders to raise awareness among farmers nationwide.
February 26: Burning effigies of the World Trade Organization and the Centre; At 3 pm, large effigies of WTO will be burnt at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders.
February 27: National-level meetings of both forums will be held at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders.
February 28: A joint meeting of both forums will be organised
February 29: An announcement will be made regarding the farmers’ protest
The protest, which commenced on February 13, has seen four rounds of talks between farm leaders and the central government, facilitated by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. However, these discussions have failed to resolve the deadlock between the government and the protesting farmers.
Among their demands, the Punjab farmers are calling for the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations, pensions for farmers and farm laborers, no increase in electricity tariffs, withdrawal of police cases, “justice” for victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence, reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, and compensation for families of farmers who died during previous agitations in 2020–21.
Internet Suspension Extended
Haryana has decided to extend the suspension of mobile internet and bulk SMS services in seven districts until Saturday, as per an official directive. This extension, prompted by the ongoing farmers’ ‘Delhi Chalo’ protest, applies to Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad, and Sirsa. The initial suspension was implemented on February 11 and has been extended several times since then, with the most recent extensions occurring on February 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, and 21.
The decision, articulated in an order issued on Friday by Additional Chief Secretary T. V. S. N. Prasad, reflects the continuing assessment of the law and order situation in these districts. Prasad noted that conditions remain critical and tense, necessitating the ongoing suspension to prevent potential disruptions to public utilities, damage to public assets, and disturbances to public law and order. This precaution is deemed necessary due to the perceived risk of misuse of internet services for spreading inflammatory material and false rumors, as stated by Prasad.
1 Crore Rejected
The family of Shubhkaran Singh, a 22-year-old farmer who tragically lost his life during clashes at the Punjab-Haryana border earlier this week, has declined the Rs 1 crore ex gratia offered by the state government. “We are seeking justice for our child and it can’t be equated with money or job,” his family members said. Farmer leaders, meanwhile, have said that a post mortem of the youth will not be conducted until the guilty are punished.
Shubkaran Singh lost his life at the Punjab-Haryana border. Shubkaran Singh, hailing from Bathinda’s Ballo village, tragically passed away due to an injury sustained during the protest at the Khanauri border. His demise has further escalated tensions between the protesting farmers and the central government, with demands intensifying to recognize him as a “martyr.”
No Cremation Until Justice is Served
The tragic incident has led to the suspension of talks between farm leaders and the Center. Efforts to conduct an autopsy on Singh’s body have been thwarted by farm outfits.
Leaders like Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Sarvan Singh Pandher are urging the state government to acknowledge Singh as a martyr. They have called for widespread protests, including the hoisting of black flags.
Various farmer unions, including the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), have demanded legal action against Haryana government officials and the state Home Minister under murder charges. They seek a judicial inquiry into his death and reimbursement for damaged tractors.
While SKM has declared a nationwide black day on February 23, with support from central trade unions, Rakesh Tikait announced plans for a tractor march towards Delhi on February 26 and an event at the Ramlila ground on March 14.
Sarwan Singh Pandher, in response to the farmer’s death during the ongoing protest, stated that they would refrain from cremating the deceased until justice is served. He stressed the need for a formal complaint against both the Haryana police and the paramilitary forces involved in the shooting and emphasized the necessity of filing a First Information Report (FIR) against the Haryana Police, advocating for a Section 302 IPC case against those accountable for the farmer’s demise.
Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association on Strike
Meanwhile, on February 23, the Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association decided to abstain from work to condemn the tragic incident. The Punjab government assigned ADGP Intelligence Jaskaran Singh to engage in discussions with the protesting farmer leaders. The government assures sympathetic consideration of the situation but emphasizes that decisions will not be made under pressure.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann addressed the state via video, expressing condolences and indicating the government’s willingness to provide financial assistance to Singh’s family.
/cloudfront-us-east-2.images.arcpublishing.com/reuters/EOPWGOKC3JPCFBIEVOJRM3O47I.jpg){kind=link}