Farmers Protest: Tensions escalated between farmers and the Centre as yet another protester, Darshan Singh, lost his life on the 11th day of the ongoing farmers movement. Darshan Singh, a 62-year-old farmer from Amargarh village in Bathinda district, breathed his last at the Khanauri border, bringing the total casualties to 5. Farmer leaders demanded compensation for his familys loss, echoing earlier calls for justice following the death of 21-year-old Shubhakaran Singh, which farmers deemed as murder and called for FIR registration.Government Retreats on NSA ImpositionIn a significant development, the Haryana Police reversed its decision to invoke the National Security Act (NSA), 1980, against the protesting farmers. Ambalas ASP Pooja Dabla confirmed that senior officials opted not to enforce any NSA provisions at present, signalling a shift in the governments stance. This decision came amidst escalating tensions and heightened scrutiny of police actions during the protests.Compensation Demands and Property DamageMeanwhile, Haryana Police initiated proceedings to seek compensation from farmer leaders for the damage inflicted on government property during the protests. Incidents of violence, stone-pelting, and attempts to disrupt peace and order prompted police action, with concerns raised over the use of social media platforms to spread provocative content. Farmer leaders denied responsibility for the damage and accused authorities of excessive force.Interlude in Protests and Continuing DemandsThe farmers agitation witnessed a temporary halt on Wednesday, following clashes with police resulting in injuries and fatalities. Punjab-Haryana farmers persisted in their demand for legal guarantees on Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their crops, highlighting the enduring grievances driving the protest movement.Khattar Governments Budget Amidst UnrestHaryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar unveiled the Budget 2024 in the Assembly, announcing significant allocations amidst the ongoing unrest. With a budget of Rs 1.89 lakh crore, a notable 11 percent increase from the previous year, Khattar pledged no new taxes while focusing on agricultural support measures. Amid farmer discontent, the government promised direct payments totalling Rs 29,876 crore to farmers for the 2023 Kharif and Rabi seasons, alongside interest waivers on loans up to Rs 5 lakh.Highlighting his personal connection to farming, Khattar underscored his commitment to addressing farmer grievances, citing his own agricultural background and experiences. The announcement of interest and penalty waivers for over 5 lakh defaulter farmers sought to assuage mounting discontent, as the government navigates the complex terrain of agricultural policy amidst ongoing protests and demands for systemic reforms.