Farmers' agitation: Both sides exercise restraint at Khanauri border in Jind

Deepender Deswal

Hisar, February 22

A day after violent clashes between protesters and the police, which led to the death of an activist and left many from both sides injured, uneasy calm prevailed at the Khanauri-Data Singh Wala border today.

Both sides exercised restraint as no provocative incident occurred at the site. Farmers put up barbed wire at the border, which indicated the boundary for the farmers, and directed the activists not to cross it.

A group of farm leaders arrived from the Shambhu border today and demanded the registration of a case against the person who shot at Shubhkaran Singh of Baloke village yesterday. They also demanded the release of two farm leaders from Haryana, who had been arrested by the Jind police recently. They said until the demands were met, there would be no talks with the government. “We will resume the ‘Dilli Chalo’ programme on Saturday,” they said.

A farm leader, Gurnam Singh, said the Haryana Police had damaged 25 tractors yesterday at the border and detained some activists. A meeting of farmer organisations would be held to discuss the future strategy.

The activists also paid tribute to a farmer, Manjeet Singh (55), who had succumbed to his injuries on February 18. They demanded compensation for the family of the deceased and action against those responsible for his death. Meanwhile, SKM leaders of Jind district said they would observe a “black day” tomorrow. The BKU (Charuni) blocked the Jind-Chandigarh highway at Kandela village, and later removed the blockade.

‘Release arrested farm leaders’

Farm leaders have demanded the registration of a case against the person who shot at an activist, Shubhkaran Singh, who succumbed to his injuries on Thursday. They also demanded the release of two farm leaders from Haryana, who had been arrested by the Jind police recently.