Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has pledged his government's support to the family of a 21-year-old farmer, Shubhkaran Singh, who allegedly lost his life during the farmers' protest at the Haryana border on Wednesday.
According to farmers, Shubhkaran Singh died at Khanauri on the Sangrur-Jind border amidst clashes with Haryana Police. Some farmers claim that he fell victim to tear gas shelling by the police, although authorities have not yet confirmed any protester's death at the border.
Addressing the media, Chief Minister Mann announced a thorough investigation into Shubhkaran's death, assuring that the responsible officer would face the strictest legal consequences.
"Shubhkaran did not go there to click photos. He was here to seek the right price for his crops," Mann stated.
The Chief Minister also declared financial assistance for Shubhkaran's family.
A 21-year-old farmer, identified as Subhkaran Singh from Bathinda, was allegedly killed during a clash with the police on Wednesday at Khanauri on the Sangrur-Jind border, according to farmer leader Baldev Singh Sirsa as quoted by news agency PTI.
Earlier reports had mentioned Baldev Singh Sirsa claiming the death of a protester at the Haryana border, as per PTI.
Patiala-based Rajindra Hospital's medical superintendent, HS Rekhi, reported that three individuals, one of them deceased, were brought to the hospital from Khanauri.
While the deceased had a head injury, the other two were in stable condition, said Rekhi.
Contradicting the claims, Haryana Police, in a post on X, stated that they had no information about any protester's death at the border.
"As per the information received so far, no farmer has died today during the protest. This is just a rumour. There is information about two policemen and one protestor being injured at Data Singh-Khanauri border who is undergoing treatment," read the post.
Following Subhkaran's death, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wrote on X in Hindi, "The death of Punjab's young man Subhkaran is very sad. Was it for this very day that we fought for freedom, that the governments we elected in our own country would martyr our own sons as the British did? "We are completely behind Subhkaran and will ensure that his murderers face severe punishment," said Kejriwal.
Tensions escalated at Shambhu and Khanauri border points as Haryana Police deployed tear gas shells to disperse farmers attempting to breach barricades.
Police fired tear gas to disperse farmers moving towards multiple barricades at the Shambhu border point near Ambala. By mid-afternoon, there were at least three rounds of tear gas shelling.
Simultaneously, protesting farmers reportedly surrounded security personnel at the Datta Singh-Khanauri border, burning stubble mixed with chilli powder. Haryana Police reported that protesters attacked personnel with sticks, stones, and lathis, resulting in injuries to several police officers.