Himalay Harbinger Bureau, Rudrapur. In the wake of the continued stand-off between the Centre and farmers, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) declared on Thursday its intent to rally farmers nationwide through a series of programs in support of their demands. The SKM, the umbrella body that led the 2020-21 farmers’ agitation, convened a meeting a day after the unfortunate demise of 21-year-old Shubhkaran Singh at the Khanauri border point of Punjab and Haryana.
The incident occurred as protesting farmers sought to resume their march from Punjab to Delhi. These farmers, who have been camped in Punjab since February 13 after being barred from entering Haryana, are part of the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march, demanding guarantees for crop purchase at Minimum Support Price (MSP) and farm loan waivers.
SKM leaders called for urgent action, asserting that the Punjab government should file an FIR under Section 302 (charges of murder) against Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, State Home Minister Anil Vij, and the police regarding the tragic death of the young farmer. They also pressed for a judicial inquiry led by a Supreme Court judge into the firing and alleged damage to tractors by the Haryana Police at the protest site.
The meeting concluded with the decision to form a six-member committee, including Hannan Mollah, Joginder Singh Ugrahan, Balbeer Singh Rajewal, Yudhavir Singh, Darshan Pal, and Raminder Patiala, to engage in discussions with former SKM members. The aim is to devise an action plan and unite all farmer organizations previously associated with the SKM.
In response to the tragic incident, SKM leaders announced that February 23 would be observed as a Black Day (Akrosh Diwas), marked by effigy burnings and demonstrations. Furthermore, February 26 was designated as ‘Quit WTO Day,’ with planned marches and tractor parking on national and state highways as a form of protest. Looking ahead, the SKM scheduled a ‘Kisan Mazdoor Mahapanchayat’ on March 14 at Ramlila ground, New Delhi.
In the midst of these developments, opposition parties in Punjab placed blame on the State government for Shubhkaran Singh’s death. Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Majithia emphasized Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s failure to file a case against the Haryana Police following their actions against farmers in Punjab on February 13, which, according to him, ultimately led to the tragic incident.
Leader of the Opposition and Congress MP Partap Singh Bajwa criticized Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann for not lodging an FIR against the Haryana Police, stating, “It establishes that CM Mann has become the BJP’s puppet.”
