Farmers' Protest: After Two-Day Pause, SKM Observes 'Black Friday', Next Course of Action To Be Decided On Feb 29

The SKM and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), which are leading the agitation at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders, have decided on the next steps, and it will be revealed on Feb 29.

Farmers' protest at Shambhu border

Source : PTI Images

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) declared a "black day" on Friday, in protest against the Haryana Police's actions against farmers at two border points in the state. This protest, prompted by the death of farmer Shubhkaran Singh in clashes with the police, led to the burning of effigies of BJP leaders. 

The SKM and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), which are leading the agitation at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders, have decided on the next steps. KMM leader Sarwan Singh Pandher stated that information about the agitation would be released on February 29.

On Wednesday, farmers participating in the "Delhi Chalo" march clashed with the police at the Khanauri border point between Punjab and Haryana, where multi-layer barricades were set up to hinder their progress.

The Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan), an SKM affiliate, said on Friday that it held demonstrations in 47 locations across 17 Punjab districts in protest of Singh's death,  news agency PTI reported. 

According to the report, BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) general secretary Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan said they burned effigies of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, and Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij.

In various locations, including Amritsar and Ludhiana, protesters burnt effigies of the BJP-led Centre and demanded the resignation of ministers and a murder case against those accountable for Singh's death, according to PTI report.

SKM leader Rattan Singh Randhawa reported protests in border villages, including Doekey, Mahima, Pandori, Modhey, and Ratokey. Similar protests were witnessed in Hoshiarpur district, where farmers voiced their grievances against the Centre and the Haryana government.

Farmers To Decide Next Course Of Action On Feb 29

Farmers protesting to press the Centre for their various demands will remain at the two protest sites on the Punjab-Haryana border until February 29, when the next course of action will be decided, said their leader Sarwan Singh Pandher on Friday, as reported by PTI.

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), which are in charge of the ongoing agitation at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders, made this decision on Friday evening.

"The next announcement about the agitation will be made on February 29," KMM leader Pandher told reporters at the Khanauri protest site, as reported by PTI. 

According to the report, the farmers outlined their plans for the upcoming days, including a candle march on February 24, seminars on farmers' issues on February 25, and effigy burnings on February 26. Meetings of SKM (Non-Political) and KMM forums are scheduled for the following days.

It is to be noted that the development occurred hours after Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced a Rs 1 crore compensation package and a government job for Singh's sister. Singh's body was kept in a mortuary at Rajindra Hospital in Patiala, but the post-mortem was postponed as the farmers pressed for acceptance of their demands.

The farmers criticized the Punjab Police for their reluctance to file an FIR against Haryana security personnel and expressed discontent with the conflicting statements from the Chief Minister's office regarding taking action against those responsible for Singh's death.

The SKM (Non-Political) and KMM are at the forefront of the 'Delhi Chalo' march, advocating for various demands, including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price and a farm loan waiver. Thousands of farmers remain steadfast at Khanauri and Shambhu borders, demanding the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations and justice for victims of past agitations.