Farmers' Protest: 'Delhi Chalo' March Paused For 2 Days After 21-Year-Old Farmer Killed At Khanauri Border

A 21-year-old farmer was killed and a few others injured following a clash between security personnel and protesting farmers at Khanauri on the Punjab-Haryana border, according to media reports.

The protester appears to have died near the Khanauri border from a head injury, according to the senior medical officer of Patran Hospital, as reported by The Indian Express. Although it seemed from the outside that he had been shot, the senior medical officer at the Patran hospital said that Rajindra Hospital would do a post-mortem and then provide a final verdict.

The victim has been identified as Subhkaran Singh, a resident of Baloke village in Punjab's Bathinda district.

Police used tear gas and water cannons on Wednesday to disperse thousands of farmers attempting to hold a protest march to Delhi. This action came after the farmers turned down a government offer regarding prices for their produce, leading to new discussions being proposed. As the tear gas dispersed and smoke filled the air, farmers fled into nearby fields at the Shambhu Border.

Farmers seemed better prepared than last week as they used masks, gloves and safety suits to protect themselves from the shelling.

(Photographs By Suresh K Pandey/Outlook)

At the crux of the renewed protests is the demand for statutory backing to minimum support prices (MSPs) – floor prices fixed by the government for 23 crops to insulate farmers from steep declines during bumper harvests.

While annual MSP rates exist for staples like wheat and rice, the government is not legally required to procure any specific share at those prices. The farmers under the Samyukt Kisan Morcha want the key recommendation of the Swaminathan Commission implemented - the formula pegging MSPs at 1.5 times production cost.

In a proposal aimed at resolving the impasse, the government offered a five-year pact where cooperative agencies would buy all produce of pulses and maize at MSP. However, farm leaders termed it inadequate since it covered only two crops. Most protesters hail from Punjab and Haryana where maize and pulses comprise a small portion of the total area cultivated.

The farmers insist MSP guarantees must include all 23 eligible crops before protests are wholly called off. They have been given 48 hours to mull the government's offer. In the interim, plans for intensified agitations remain suspended.

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"We did not send any youth at the front, instead leaders themselves went peacefully. The way they attacked us (with tear gas shells), everyone saw that,” farmers' leader Sarwan Singh Pandher told the media at the Shambhu border, where protesting farmers have been stopped by security forces from marching towards Delhi.

“We have never refused for talks, but it is not possible to hold discussions in such environment."

On farmers' protest, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav told the media: “Farmers are protesting, demanding law on MSP but BJP people were advertising Bharat Ratna. At least now, after giving Bharat Ratna to Dr MS Swaminathan and Chaudhary Charan Singh, they (Centre) need to make decisions to eliminate problems of farmers."

The National Commission on Farmers, headed by Dr. M. S. Swaminathan, recommended in 2006 that MSP should be at least 50 per cent more than the weighted average cost of production. 

The first of the 12 demands made by protesting Punjab farmers in their email sent to the government on February 6 was for a law to guarantee the procurement of all crops for all farmers at MSP, and for the determination of crop prices as per the recommendations of the Dr Swaminathan Commission.

“They were using tear gas to disperse us. It made our eyes burn...That’s when some of them (the police) started firing pellets at us,” says Bikram Jeet Singh, 31, who was on the frontline of the farmers’ protest at Shambhu border at the Punjab-Haryana border on February 14. About 20-25 police personnel had toppled their barricades and rushed towards the farmers with their guns.

“The pellets looked like small bombs. The flesh (on my arms) fell off completely,” says Singh who was hit on his arms and was admitted to a nearby hospital. Jaskarn Singh, 29, suffered a one-inch rubber bullet injury on his left leg. “It hurts a lot…We are farmers, we should not have been attacked this way,” he says. His friend, Ravinder Singh, was also injured. “A tear gas shell fell on my foot and burst open. It made my foot swell up,” he says, pointing at his toenails that are about to come apart.

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Haryana Police posted on X: "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 protestor being injured at Data Singh-Khanori border."

Security forces used tear gas shells as protesting farmers, led by SKM (Non-Political) leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee head Sarwan Singh Pandher, attempted to march towards Delhi at Shambhu border. The farmers were observed wearing masks and other safety gear.

On being asked if they have received any invitation for a meeting with the government representatives, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said, "We will confirm soon... We will think of the talks after a discussion..."

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A PIL has been filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court for the farmers' right to protest. The advocate who has filed the PIL said the state is stopping farmers from exercising their fundamental right to protest and have installed barriers.

"As the citizens of India, they (farmers) have the right to move to any part of the country... Haryana government put barriers and suspended internet services... The PIL says that the internet must be reinstated and action should be taken against concerned police officials... The injured farmers should get compensation... The Punjab government is in its favour, but Haryana and UT (Chandigarh) are against it... Any order from the High Court does not stop the farmers from using tractors and heavy machinery during the protest... We will fight this in the Supreme Court if needed...," the advocate said.

Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait said that they will decide their future course of action in a meeting of SKM tomorrow. The SKM, of which BKU is a part, has not yet joined the Delhi Chalo protest march which has been called by Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha.

"We are protesting infront of DM office over issues such as MSP guarantee law and others. We will decide our future course of action in SKM's meeting tomorrow," Tikait said.

Samyukt Kisan Morcha and Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), which spearheaded the 2020 protest, are not at the forefront in this protest.

Punjab Minister Dr Balbir Singh the situation at the border is very tense because the negotiation between government and farmers has yielded no results. He appealed to the farmers to maintain peace and urged the Haryana and Central government to allow them "their constitutional right" to hold a peaceful protest march.

...I appeal to the farmers to maintain peace. I also urge the Haryana Government and administration as well as the Central Government to allow them their constitutional right to a peaceful protest march and allow them passage to Delhi...The CM has given me the responsibility and we have made all arrangements at the hospitals in all border districts," Singh said.

"Ambulances have also been placed. We have made all the arrangements...I still appeal that plastic pellets should not be used. The day the protest started, a lot of people came to me with bullet injuries and also that they lost their eyesight...I urge everyone to observe restraint and present their demands in a peaceful manner...," he said.

Tear gas shells fired at the protesting farmers at Khanauri border between Punjab and Haryana. Farmers are camping at Shambhu and Khanauri borders between Punjab and Haryana to march to Delhi and press Centre to accept their demands.

Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda has again proposed to have dialogue with farmers to arrive at solution peacefully. Centre and farmers have held four rounds of talks over the demands by farmers.

After the last round of talks with the central government, farmers rejected Centre's proposal of procuring pulses, maize and cotton at MSP by government agencies for five years, saying it was not in their favour.

Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad addressed a press conference and said the government has done a lot for the farmers, adding that their progress is government's priority and will continue to remain so.

Haryana Police AIG (Administration) Manisha Chaudhary said on Wednesday that the farmers can protest peacefully but should not take the law into their hands. She urged farmers to not bring heavy machinery to the protest site to remove barricades.

"We appeal again to the farmers to not bring heavy machines to the protest site. They can submit memorandum to us regarding their demands... We are in regular touch with Punjab Police and are sharing information with them...," she said.

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Security forces fired tear gas shells as agitating farmers tried to proceed to Delhi from Punjab-Haryana Shambhu border on Wednesday morning. Farmers have been trying to cross through to Haryana from Punjab and eventually enter Delhi to keep their demands before the Centre.

Heavy traffic was seen at the Delhi-Gurugram border on Wednesday morning due to the security arrangements put up over the farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' protest march.

In view of the farmers' protest, traffic movement is expected to be affected in and around Delhi due to the security arrangements put up at the borders. Apart from Delhi, traffic advisory has been issued for neighbouring Noida and Gurugram as well. Check advisory here

Farmers were seen distributing masks, gloves and safety suits among themselves at the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu border in prepration to faceoff with the security arrangements put up to stop them from crossing over and proceed to Delhi.

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Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said that a decision has been made that no farmer or youth will march forward, adding that only the leaders will be marching. "We will go peacefully... All this can be ended if they (central govt) make a law on MSP...," Pandher said

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Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said PM Modi should come forward and accept the demands. "We tried our best from our side. We attended the meetings, every point was discussed and now the decision has to be taken by the central government. We will remain peaceful…The Prime Minister should come forward and accept our demands. Rs 1.5-2 lakh crore is not a huge amount...We should be allowed to remove these barriers and march towards Delhi...,'' he said.

Speaking from the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu border, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal said their intention "is not to create any chaos, adding that the government is "neglecting" them.

We have made a programme to reach Delhi since November 7. If the government says that they didn't get enough time this means the government is trying to neglect us... This is not right that such huge barricades are placed to stop us. We want to go to Delhi peacefully," Dallewal said.

"The government should remove the barricades and let us come in... Otherwise, they should fulfil our demands... We are peaceful... If they extend one hand, we will also cooperate... We have to handle the situation with patience... I appeal to the youngsters to not lose control," he added.

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Elaborate security arrangements have been set up at the Tikri Border (Delhi-Haryana) as the farmers have announced to continue to march towards the National Capital.

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha are spearheading the 'Delhi Chalo' march to press the government to accept their demands, including a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops and a farm loan waiver.

Samyukt Kisan Morcha and Bharatiya Kisan Union which spearheaded the 2020 protest are not at the forefront in this protest.

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said that they have told the government to not oppress the farmers. "We have told the govt that you can kill us but please don't oppress the farmers. We request the Prime Minister to come forward and put an end to this protest by announcing a law on the MSP guarantee for the farmers...," Pandher said.

The country will not forgive such a government...There are paramilitary forces deployed in the villages of Haryana...What crime have we committed?...We have made you the Prime Minister. We never thought that the forces would oppress us this way...Please protect the Constitution and let us peacefully head towards Delhi. This is our right..." he added.

The Delhi Police has asked commuters to avoid several roads in the central parts of the city on Wednesday due to special traffic arrangements.

In a post on X, the police said, "On 21-02-24, due to special traffic arrangements kindly avoid IP Marg in both the carriageways from IP Flyover towards A-point and vice-versa, ITO Chowk, DDU Marg, BSZ Marg, JLN Marg, Shanti Van crossing and Rajghat crossing from 9.30 am to 11.30 am."

Shambhu border, the border between Punjab and Haryana, is where most of the protesting farmers are currently camping in a bid to proceed towards Delhi to press the Centre to accept their demands.

Inputs indicate plans of the protesters to break the barricades erected by Haryana Police and enter the state, a move which would disturb the law and order situation in both the states, the communication stated, a news agency PTI report mentioned.

Haryana Police has requested its Punjab counterparts to strictly warn the owners or operators of earthmoving equipment to not provide them to the protesting farmers as this would "amount to a criminal act and they would be criminally liable for the same".

"The matter may be dealt [with] on top priority being matter of utmost urgency," the letter stated.

In his communication to Punjab Police officers, DGP Yadav said keeping in view the implications on the law and order situation, it is directed that all range ADGPs, IGPs, DIGs, police commissioners and SSPs take immediate steps to stop the movement of "JCBs, proclaines (diggers), tippers (heavy trucks), hydras and other heavy earthmoving equipment towards the Haryana-Punjab border at Khanauri and Shambhu by laying 'nakas', conducting patrolling and (taking) other required steps".

A day before the resumption of farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' march, Haryana Police urged its Punjab counterparts to seize bulldozers and other earthmoving equipment (JCBs) from the interstate border, saying that the protesters will use to break barricades.

These could pose a threat to the security forces deployed at the border, Haryana Director General of Police Shatrujeet Kapoor said in an urgent communication to his Punjab counterpart Gaurav Yadav.

Later, in a communication to senior police officers, the Punjab DGP said that no JCBs and other heavy earthmoving equipment should be allowed to reach Khanauri and Shambu border points as inputs indicate that the protesters plan to break barricades and enter Haryana.

Officials said areas around the Delhi's three border (Tikri, Singhu and Ghazipur) points might witness traffic congestion on Wednesday due to road closures in view of the resumption of farmers' protest.

Tikri and Singhu -- two points on the Delhi-Haryana border -- are sealed with heavy deployment of police personnel and multiple layers of concrete barricades and iron nails.

If required, the Ghazipur border might also be shut on Wednesday, an official said. Delhi Police has stocked up 30,000 tear gas shells.

As of now, the protesters are mainly put up at the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu border.

The protesting farmers are demanding a legal guarantee on minimum support price (MSP) for crops. The Kisan Mazdoor Morcha is spearheading the 'Delhi Chalo' agitation along with the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political).

Apart from MSP, farmers are advocating for the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations, pension for farmers and laborers, farm debt waiver, no hike in electricity tariff, withdrawal of police cases, justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence, reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, and compensation to the families of farmers who died during the previous agitation in 2020-21.

Protesting farmers have been put up at the Shambhu and Khanauri points on Punjab's border with Haryana after their 'Delhi Chalo' march to press the Centre for various demands, including a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for crops, was stopped by security forces which led to clashes last week.

The march started on February 13 but has not been able to cross over from Punjab to Haryana and eventually proceed to Delhi.

Farmer leaders taking part in agitation on Monday rejected the Centre's proposal of procuring pulses, maize and cotton at MSP by government agencies for five years, saying it was not in farmers' interest and announced that they will march towards the national capital on Wednesday.

Around 14,000 people, 1,200 tractor-trolleys, 300 cars, 10 mini buses and several other small vehicles have reportedly gathered along the Punjab-Haryana border, prompting Centre to convey its strong objections to the Punjab government for it, sources said on Tuesday.

As per the reports prepared by central security agencies, nearly 14,000 people have been allowed to gather at the Shambhu barrier on Rajpura-Ambala Road, with nearly 1,200 tractor-trolleys, 300 cars, 10 mini-buses and other small vehicles, a news agency PTI report cited home ministry as saying.

In a communication to the Punjab government, the Union Home Ministry also said that the deteriorating law-and-order situation in the state has been a matter of concern over the last few days and asked it to take stringent action against lawbreakers.