Farmers protest: One dead, 25 injured as Haryana Police fire tear gas, rubber bullets at protesting farmers; situation tense

Aman Sood

Shambhu/Chandigarh, February 21

A 20-year-old protester was killed while 25 others were injured on Wednesday after the Haryana police fired rubber bullets and lobbed tear gas shells on the protesting farmers at Khanauri border.

According to officials, the deceased identified as Shubhkaran Singh of Baloke in Bathinda succumbed to his injuries at Patiala’s Rajindra hospital. He was allegedly hit by a rubber bullet.

As per initial reports, a bullet entered his head from above his ear.

Ten of the injured farmers were rushed to hospital, while others got first aid at the makeshift medical camp at Shambhu.

Three of the injured farmers were referred to Rajindra Hospital, Patiala.

Sangrur Civil surgeon Dr Kirpal Singh said a youth sustained injuries in the head and has been referred to Rajindra Hospital.

Currently, the firing of tear gas shells has been stopped.

Meanwhile, the farmer leaders rushed to the Rajindra hospital after reports of two of the farmers receiving critical injuries at Khanauri.

Tear gas shells were fired by Haryana security personnel after some farmers were heading towards the multi-layered barricades at the Shambhu border on Wednesday.

Earlier, Dallewal and Pandher said the protesting farmers, who have been camping at two border points between Punjab and Haryana after they were stopped by security personnel, will march towards Delhi in a peaceful manner.

The farmer leaders also urged the Central government to remove barricades and blockades at the Shambhu border and allow the farmers to march peacefully to Delhi. 

“We are ready to die and be shot in the interest of the farmers of the country as it is now not a fight for farmers from Punjab but of the whole nation,” the leaders said.

“If any standoff happens… it can turn ugly, as farmers are adamant to reach Delhi and we will only proceed peacefully. But if they open fire at us or use force; then whatever happens will be the responsibility of those who had put up these barricades,” they added.