Haryana faces internet shutdown: 10 updates on farmers’ protest

| Updated: 22 February, 2024 1:23 pm IST

NEW DELHI: The farmers’ agitation has taken a violent turn after a young protester was killed and a dozen policemen were wounded in a clash at Khanauri, one of the two border points between Punjab and Haryana where the farmers have been staging demonstrations to reach the national capital. The victim, identified as Subhkaran Singh, died of a head injury, according to the medical superintendent of Rajindra Hospital, H S Rekhi.

The death of the farmer has sparked more anger and resentment among the protesters and the opposition parties, who have slammed the BJP-led central government for its alleged mismanagement of the situation. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann vowed to take strict action against those behind the killing, while Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal questioned if this was the reason why we fought for freedom. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being arrogant and harming the lives of the farmers.

Here are the main updates from the farmers’ protest:

Subhkaran Singh was the first casualty of the clashes in the ongoing farmers’ movement. He succumbed to injuries from what officials called a “bullet”, without specifying if it was a rubber bullet or a regular bullet. Singh’s family and farmer groups claimed he was shot and refused to accept his body until the government acted. Singh, a small farmer, supported his family, including his mentally ill father.

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha expressed sorrow over the death of Singh and blamed the government for being “completely responsible for the current crisis and death”. The farmers’ organisation has called for a meeting of its National Coordination Committee and the General Body on February 22 to discuss the situation and take “firm action to further the struggle”.

Haryana Police said the protesting farmers at Khanauri burnt straw mixed with chilli powder and attacked the security forces with stones and sharp weapons.

AIG (Administration) Manisha Chaudhary said in a statement that 12 cops were seriously injured in the assault and the toxic smoke from the chilli-laced straw caused breathing difficulties and low visibility for the cops.

Chaudhary urged the protesters not to engage in such activities as the poisonous smoke not only affects the visibility in the area but also obstructs the efforts of the police personnel to maintain law and order. She emphasised that the toxic smoke threatens both sides and increases the possibility of unfortunate incidents.

As the situation worsened at Khanauri and Shambhu border points, police fired tear gas shells to disperse the protesters, who had begun moving towards the multiple concrete barriers set up to stop their progress. Earlier in the day, a sub-inspector of Haryana Police posted at the Tohana border died after his health worsened. The director general of police expressed condolences over SI Vijay Kumar’s death. Haryana police said that as many as three police officers have died on duty in the ongoing agitation.

The Haryana government has extended the ban on mobile internet and bulk SMS services in seven districts till February 23 due to the standoff with farmers. According to the administration, the ban aims to prevent the spread of false information and rumours on social media platforms, which could provoke violence during protests. The services will remain suspended in the districts of Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad, and Sirsa.