The ‘Delhi Chalo’ protest march was put on halt by farmer leaders on Wednesday afternoon following the death of a young protestor due to a head injury at the Punjab-Haryana border. The protestor died at the Khanauri border area when the protestors and security personnel clashed on February 21. It was announced that the farmer leaders will review the situation and announce the next course of action by Friday evening.
Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait announced that the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) would organise tractor marches along the country's highways on February 26. He further said that the SKM would observe a ‘Black Day’, demanding action against the officials responsible for the death of the young farmer at the Khanauri border.
Farmer leader Avik Saha after the meeting between SKM National Coordination Committee and General Body in Chandigarh earlier today said that starting from tomorrow, the farmers are launching ‘all-India mega programmes.’ First of this is Black Day or ‘Aakrosh Diwas’ on February 23. Following this, there will be a ‘tractor demonstration’ where they will ask the government to quit WTO. On March 14, the All India Kisan Mazdoor Mahapanchayat will be organised at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi, which they expect will be joined by over 1 lakh people.
In the ongoing clash at the Khanauri border, at least 12 police personnel have been injured after a clash between protesting farmers and Haryana police amid the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march at the Data Singh-Khanauri border. Haryana police have also informed that as many as three police officers have lost their lives so far in the ongoing farmer's protest. On Wednesday, Haryana police sub-inspector Vijay Tohana, who was posted at the Tohana border following the farmers' ‘Delhi Chalo’ march, passed away after his health deteriorated.