Another farmer dies during protest; union leader demands government job for victim’s family

Patiala (Punjab) [India], February 23 (ANI): Another protesting farmer has died at the Khanauri border, bringing the toll to 4 during the ongoing protest under the call for Delhi Chalo, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said on Friday.

The 62-year-old farmer, Darshan Singh from Amargarh village in Bathinda district, had been staying at the Khanauri border since February 13.

The General Secretary of Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, Sarwan Singh Pandher said that Darshan Singh died of cardiac arrest.

“He was at the Khanauri border and is the fourth martyr of this farmers’ agitation. He has been identified as Darshan Singh (62). He died of a heart attack,” Pandher said.

He also said that a job to a member of the victim’s family should be given.

“A compensation similar to that given to three previous martyrs and a job to a member of his family should be given. They have provided Rs 5 Lakhs each as compensation earlier…” he said.

Earlier on Wednesday, Shubhkaran Singh died of an injury to the back of his neck while protesting at Khanauri border, prompting farm leaders to suspend talks with the Centre.

Following the death of Subhkaran, the farmers observed ‘black Friday’ today.

To press the Centre to accept their demands, including a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) for crops and farm debt waiver, the farmers have been camping at the border points since February 13 along with their tractor-trolleys, mini-vans and pickup trucks.

However, during the last round of talks, which ended past midnight on February 18, the panel of three Union ministers had proposed buying five crops — moong dal, urad dal, tur dal, maize and cotton — from farmers at MSP for five years through central agencies.