Farmers protesting near the borders of Delhi demanding a guarantee of MSP on their crops have demanded that an FIR should be lodged against Haryana Police for the death of a farmer during the protests. The protesters have also demanded both Hayana police and paramilitary forces should be named in the complaint and only then will they allow his cremation, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher had told the media. They will hold a candle march Saturday evening. Another farmer also died due to heart attack, he confirmed.
Amid speculations that protesters may be punished under NSA, Ambala Range IG issued clarification that no NSA complaints are being filed against the farmers for now. Earlier this, week, Ambala Police confirmed that accounts will be seized and properties may be auctioned to recover the public and private property damaged during the protests on February 13. However, there were no clarification on the persons who may be affected with these actions.
The Delhi Chalo march was put on hold till February 29 after Shubh Karn Singh died following heavy tear gas firing at the Khanauri borders. The protester observed black day and wore black bands to register their anger over the death. The Sankyukta Kisan Morcha group – at the helm of the ongoing protest – even claimed in a press statement that effigies of several union ministers were burnt across India amid the protests.
Meanwhile, Haryana government extended the restrictions on mobile internet and bulk SMS services till Saturday in all the seven districts. Kurukshetra, Ambala, Kaithal, Hisar, Jind, Sirsa, and Fatehabad are the affected districts under the order.
According to an ANI report, the protesting farmers will hold convention at Shambhu and Khanauri borders. It also quoted Pandher as saying that effigies and biers of corporate houses, governments and WTOs will be burned at these borders on February 26, Monday. He added that the various organizations participating in the protest will hold meetings with leaders across the country on Tuesday, and then decide on further steps on February 29 (Wednesday).