FIR first: Farmers reject Rs 1 cr relief, job for victim Shubhkaran Singh’s kin

Aman Sood

Patiala, February 23

Hours after the Punjab Government announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore and a government job for a sister of young farmer Shubhkaran Singh, who died in alleged Haryana Police firing two days ago, farmer unions spearheading the “Dilli Chalo” march, backed by the victim’s father, demanded that an FIR be first registered against the Haryana Police. However, in the evening, a woman, Veerpal Kaur, said she was the mother of the victim and had “no condition or objection” to the cremation of her son. While the farmer unions and the victim’s father refused to accept the compensation amount or the job offer till an FIR was registered, Shubhkaran’s mother said she wanted a peaceful cremation for her son. Shubhkaran’s post-mortem has been delayed as farmers are pressing for the acceptance of their demands.

Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said the Punjab CM had promised stern action and an FIR against those responsible for Shubhkaran’s death. “But now we are told that an FIR is not possible,” he said, adding that the next course of action would be decided on February 29. Till then the farmers will stay put at the two protest sites.

In the evening, Veerpal Kaur reached the Government Rajindra Hospital mortuary and was allowed to see her son’s body. Sources said she had agreed to the “autopsy of her son” without setting any demand. However, no police or hospital official was willing to comment on it.

Talking to mediapersons, Veerpal Kaur, accompanied by her mother, said she had been living separately from her husband for the past over 13 years owing to some issues, but was in touch with Shubhkaran. “I am shattered… I am affiliated with no union and have no demand. I just want a peaceful cremation,” she said. She said though she had remarried, she could not hold herself back when she heard about her son’s death. Talking to The Tribune, Medical Superintendent, Government Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, Dr Harnam Singh Rekhi, said till the police gave a written request, the “post-mortem cannot be conducted”.

Earlier, senior farm leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal said more than the agitation, they were concerned about getting justice for Shubhkaran. “Only the Punjab Government can solve the issue by filing an FIR against the ‘guilty’ cops.

Meanwhile, barring stray incidents of “farmers locking horns with some journalists”, things remained peaceful with no confrontation between the Haryana Police and the protesters at the borders.