New Delhi: Tension escalated on Wednesday as the Haryana police used tear gas at Sambhu and Khanauri borders and farmers tried to break police barricades to march towards Delhi. Amid the chaos, the death of a 24-year-old farmer and a cop deployed at the border has been reported.
The deceased farmer has been identified as Shubh Karan Singh who allegedly lost his life when the police lobbed tear gas shells at protesting farmers at Sambhu border. His death was confirmed by both Government Rajindra Hospital and Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) (Sidhupur) leader Kaka Singh Kotda.
Several others have also been reportedly injured.
Haryana Police also declared a cop deployed at Tohana border died after falling ill, Hindustan Times reported.
However, the Haryana police earlier in the day posted on X, “According to the information received so far, no farmer has died today #किसानआंदोलन. This is just a rumour. There is information about two policemen and one protestor being injured at Data Singh-Khanori border who is undergoing treatment.”
After rejecting the Centre’s proposal of procuring pulses, maize and cotton at MSP by government agencies for five years, the farmer leaders had on Wednesday resumed their march towards Delhi which was halted since Sunday evening.
As per government estimate, about 14,000 people had gathered along the Punjab-Haryana border with 1,200 tractor-trolleys, 300 cars, 10 mini-buses as well as small vehicles.
Reports state that as police deployed tear gas at the Shambu border near Ambala, a drone was also spotted over the protesting sites. Many protesting farmers were seen wearing masks and protective glasses to shield themselves from the effects of the tear gas, TOI reported.
Meanwhile, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait speaking to ANI in UP’s Meerut has said, “This movement will continue, a solution can be found only through dialogue… SKM (Samyukt Kisan Morcha) will meet tomorrow and decide what to do.”
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