Death of 21-Year-Old Farmer Sparks Tensions at Khanauri Border; "Just a rumour" says Haryana Police

A 21-year-old farmer, Shubh Karan Singh, lost his life at Khanauri on the Sangrur-Jind border amid clashes with the Haryana Police on Wednesday. Farmers have alleged that Singh died due to tear gas shelling by the police. The farmers have called off their "Delhi Chalo" protest for two days in the wake of Shubh Karan's death. The Haryana Police has however dismissed the death of the 21-year-old, calling it a rumour.

Shubh Karan Singh was rushed to a hospital in Patiala. Dr. Rekhi, the Senior Medical Officer at Patiala's Rajendra Hospital stated that three patients had arrived from Khanauri, one was pronounced dead upon arrival, while the two others were stable with suspected bullet injuries. Dr. Rekhi added that the deceased 21-year-old had a bullet wound to the head, and stated that further details will be confirmed after the post-mortem.

However, the Haryana Police had tweeted, stating that they have no information regarding the reported death. "According to the information received so far, no farmer has died today at the Farmers' Protest. This is just a rumour. There is information about two policemen and one protestor being injured at the Khanauri border who are undergoing treatment," posted the Haryana police on "X".

After the fourth round of talks between the Central government and farmer leaders fell through, the farmers resumed their protest on Wednesday. Violence erupted at the Shambhu and Khanauri border injuring numerous farmers and police officers. Police deployed tear gas shells to disperse farmers attempting to breach barricades. By mid-afternoon, tear gas had been fired at least three times. Meanwhile, protesting farmers encircled security personnel at the Datta Singh-Khanauri border by burning stubble mixed with chili powder, stated the Haryana Police.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann vowed to investigate the death of the 21-year-old at the Khanauri border. Mann pledged his government's unwavering support for the farmers, asserting that they will not yield to any threats of President's Rule, and said that his government would support the family of Shubh Karan Singh. "We express our heartfelt condolences to the family of Shubhakaran in this hour of sorrow. We assure to help the family in all aspects economically and socially. After the post-mortem, appropriate action will be taken against the responsible officials," said the Punjab CM.

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi offered his condolences to the family of the deceased and launched a scathing attack on the Narendra Modi-led Union Government. "The news of death of young farmer Shubhakaran Singh in firing on Khanauri border is heartbreaking, my condolences are with his family. Last time Modi's arrogance was accepted only after the sacrifice of more than 700 farmers, now it has again become the enemy of their lives. One day history will definitely demand an account of the 'killing of farmers' from the BJP hiding behind the friendly media," posted the Wayanad MP on X.​