Delhi Chalo March has been halted for two days
The 'Delhi Chalo' march has been halted for two days by farmer leaders. At the border crossings of Shambhu and Khanauri on 21st February, the Haryana Police used tear gas shells to scatter Punjabi farmers who were attempting to advance towards the city. In a similar vein, the police used tear gas many times to scatter the farmers in Khanauri, which is on the boundary between Punjab and Haryana. Farmers fled the region covered in smoke, causing chaos in the area. In order to shield themselves from the gas, several farmers who were protesting were observed donning masks and safety goggles. In response to the ongoing farmers' "Delhi Chalo" agitation, the Haryana government on Wednesday extended the ban on mobile internet and bulk SMS services in seven districts till February 23. In an order, the government declared that the districts of Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad, and Sirsa would not be allowed to use mobile internet services.
Shubhkaran Singh, a 22 years old farmer passed away on 21st February
Shubhkaran Singh, a 22 years old farmer from Balloh village in Bhatinda, passed away on 21st February at the Khanauri border crossing in the Sangrur region due to a brain injury. Although Shubhkaran's head injury was ruled fatal at Rajindra Hospital in Patiala, the cause is still unknown.
Harcharan Singh Bhullar, DIG (Patiala range) citing preliminary information, stated, “A group of protesters tried to create a smokescreen by setting stubble on fire, and security personnel hurled tear gas shells and fired rubber bullets.” The medical superintendent of Rajindra Hospital, Dr. Harnam Singh Rekhi, disclosed that Shubhkaran was brought dead from Khanauri with a head injury to his back. He mentioned that the damage could have been caused by a gunshot, but a post-mortem test would be necessary to pinpoint the exact cause, according to IE.
Nonetheless, the Haryana Police have refuted any fatalities. A post from the police handle on X on Wednesday afternoon read, “According to the information received so far, no farmer has died today… This is just a rumor. There is information about two policemen and one protestor being injured at Data Singh-Khanori border who are undergoing treatment."
Haryana Police Spokesperson Manisha Chaudhary addressed the reported altercation between farmers protesting and police, saying, "At the Data Singh-Khanauri border, protesters surrounded police personnel and set stubble on fire with chili powder in it." They also used sticks and maces to strike police officers and threw stones at them. In this incident, up to twelve police officers have been seriously injured. We implore demonstrators to uphold local law and order and to keep the peace. This might lead to unanticipated events and is risky for both parties.
"I have asked farmers to have peaceful conversations and work toward resolutions through communication. In my opinion, constructive discourse has always been the way we in this country have resolved difficult problems, and we want to do the same with this one. Union Minister Arjun Munda stated, "It is true that in our previous meetings, we were unable to reach a consensus, but I am optimistic that we will find a solution to the farmers' problem in the coming days."
The farmers are demanding a Minimum Support Price for crops based on the Swaminathan Formula of C2 50, legal guarantee of procurement depth wave in electricity tariff and go smart meters along with this they also demand for free 300 units of power for farming for domestic use in shops comprehensive crop insurance and hike in pension to 10000 for month others.
