The ongoing farmers protests in India took a tragic turn on Wednesday, resulting in the first casualty since the demonstrations resumed on February 13. Shubh Karan Singh, a 24-year-old protester, succumbed to injuries sustained during clashes with Haryana police at the border, according to hospital sources.Singhs death comes amidst escalating tensions between protesters and authorities. Farmers in Punjab had announced a march to Delhi, but were stopped and blocked from entering Haryana. Prior to official confirmation of the fatality, Haryana police had denied claims circulating on social media that a protester had died in the skirmishes at the Shambhu border.This is just a rumour. Two policemen and one protester received injuries on the Data Singh-Khanauri border and are under treatment, the force said in a statement posted online on Wednesday afternoon.अभी तक की प्राप्त जानकारी के अनुसार आज #किसानआंदोलन में किसी भी किसान की मृत्यु नहीं हुई है। यह मात्र एक अफवाह है। दाता सिंह-खनोरी बॉर्डर पर दो पुलिसकर्मियों तथा एक प्रदर्शनकारी के घायल होने की सूचना है जो उपचाराधीन है। @ssk303 @DGPPunjabPolice @cmohry @anilvijminister— Haryana Police (@police_haryana) February 21, 2024The farmers protests against central government policies first erupted in 2020, but had been peaceful until the recent flare up of violence. Singhs death marks the first casualty since demonstrations resumed last week, intensifying the standoff. With passions running high on both sides, there are concerns over further possible injuries or loss of life.
