Patiala (TIP)- Farmer leaders participating in the “Delhi Chalo” agitation under the banner of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) on Friday, Feb 23, said the cremation of Shubh Karan Singh, who died amid clashes between Haryana Police and Punjab farmers, will not take place till the Punjab government registers a case against those responsible it. The development came hours after Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore and a government job for Shubh Karan’s sister.
Subh Karan Singh, 21, a native of Bathinda, died on Wednesday at Khanauri border point on the Punjab-Haryana border amid clashes between Haryana Police and Punjab farmers.
The incident took place when the farmers rushed to the barricades, several layers of which had been erected by Haryana authorities to prevent farmers from proceeding with their march and clashed with police.
According to the medical superintendent of Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, Subh Karan had an injury to his head. The post-mortem was delayed as the farmers pressed for acceptance of their demands.
Addressing a press conference at Government Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee general secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher said that the post-mortem of the 21-year-old farm protester will not be conducted till the Punjab Police register an FIR against Haryana Police. Punjab chief minister had asserted that stringent action would be taken against those responsible for Shubh Karan’s death. But now the officials are saying that it was not possible, he said.
“We have told the (Shubh Karan) family that it may take two days or 10 days. For us money is not important. We are demanding that an FIR be lodged and then cremation will take place,” he said and accused Punjab government officials of “pressuring” Shubh Karan’s family into agreeing to the cremation. Toeing the line, Charanjit Singh, father of Shubh Karan, said: “Till Punjab Police register a case against Haryana Police officials, we won’t allow the administration to conduct the post-mortem. Money doesn’t matter to us, justice does.”
Replying to a question, Jagjit Singh Dallewal, leader of SKM (Non-Political) that is spearheading the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march along with the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, claimed the Bathinda senior superintendent of police has said that police could not register a case against Haryana security personnel.
“If you cannot register a case, then how can you call yourself ‘Punjab de rakhe’ (Punjab’s protector),” Dallewal said, adding the police officer told them that if they registered a case, then Haryana security personnel would also do so.
Replying to another question, Dallewal said, “A youth died during our agitation. Our priority is to ensure justice for him. We are concentrating on it. It is up to the Punjab government how soon it will give justice to us.”
Punjab CM Mann on Friday announced compensation and a job for Shubh Karan’s sister.
“The family of Shubh Karan Singh, who got martyred during the farmer’s movement at Khanauri border, will be given financial assistance of ?1 crore by the Punjab government and a government job to his younger sister. Due legal action will be taken against culprits,” he said in a post on ‘X’ in Punjabi.
Farmers leaders were also demanding “martyr” status for Shubhkaran Singh.
Thousands of farmers from Punjab are protesting at two interstate borders with Haryana to press their demands to the Centre.
Among the major demands of the farmers are a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) on all crops and a complete loan waiver for all farmers. For this, the farmers are marching towards the national capital but are currently facing stiff barricading at the Haryana borders.
Source: HT