62-year-old Bathinda farmer dies at Khanauri barrier

Sushil Goyal

Sangrur, February 23

Darshan Singh, 62, a resident of Amargarh village in Bathinda district, died of a heart attack at Khanauri barrier on Thursday night.

After Darshan complained of uneasiness, he was taken to the Patran Civil Hospital, where he was referred to Government Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, where doctors declared him brought dead.

Darshan, who got his son married three weeks ago, possessed eight acres of land and left behind a debt of Rs 8 lakh. Farm leaders today demanded the ‘martyr’ status for Darshan and financial assistance for the bereaved family. The deceased is survived by a son, a daughter and wife.

Jagjit Singh Dallewal, chief, BKU (Ekta-Sidhupur), and general secretary of Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee Sarwan Singh Pandher reached Khanauri barrier in the evening.

Dallewal appealed to the protesters, especially youngsters, not to go close to the Haryana police barricades until directions are issued in this regard. He said they would protest peacefully to get their demands accepted.

The SKM (Non-political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha would announce the next course of action on February 29, said Pandher, adding that a candlelight march would be taken out on February 24 at Khanauri and Shambhu barriers in memory of farmers who had lost their lives.