Farmer leaders on Wednesday announced that the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march will be on hold till Friday, ahead of clashes in Khanauri borders leading to a 21-year-old protester being killed. The clashes have left about 12 police personnel injured too.
Security was tightened in protesting sites, after the farmer leaders announced their intention to resume the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march on Wednesday following the rejection of Centre’s five-year MSP offer by the protesting farmers.
The deceased, identified as Subhkaran Singh, had joined the protests from Baloke village in Punjab’s Bathinda district showing solidarity with the farmer’s demands.
The 21-point demand charter include — a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) for crops, implementation of the MS Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations, pensions, farm debt waiver, reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, withdrawal of cases and compensation for the victims of Lakhimpur Kheri violence of 2020-21, among others.
Three people were taken to Patiala-based Rajindra Hospital, whose medical superintendent H S Rekhi told reporters that one of them was brought dead with a bullet injury on head, and the other two are stable.
On the other hand, around 12 police personnel were injured due to attacks using lathis and stones, as per a Haryana Police Official.
‘Protests to persist until all demands are met’
Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said that the next course of action will be decided on Friday evening. Meanwhile, thousands of farmers will remain camped at the Khanauri and Shambhu border points during the pause in the agitation over their demands.
During the fatal clash between the protesters and the security personnel, the Haryana Police deployed tear gas shells to thwart attempts to breach barricades at Shambhu and Khanauri. The farmers alleged the use of rubber bullets along with tear gas by Haryana police, and condemned the police action on protesting farmers at the borders.
Meanwhile, the police urged owners of heavy equipment to withdraw from protest sites, expressing concern over potential harm to security forces.
The unrest has injured several protesters as well as the security forces, leading to a death of one protester. Videos surfaced online, as the farmers were stopped from marching towards the capital.
Farmer leaders have affirmed that the ongoing protests on Delhi borders would continue until all demands are met. Despite the strong stand, farmer leader Rakesh Tikait, leading the Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU), expressed hope for a breakthrough through dialogue.
Government invites for the fifth round of discussion
The resumption comes after the four rounds of negotiations remained inconclusive with no demands being accepted by the Government.
The farmer leaders have underlined the potential resolution of disputes through peaceful discussions. Moreover, Arjun Munda, Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Minister has called for further talks, and expressed confidence in finding solutions to their demands through negotiations.
Munda reiterated the government’s willingness to address the issues and engage in further talks, inviting farmers for the fifth round.
