At least four farmers in the protests at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders have died, including three due to cardiac arrest, as per the official documents at Patiala’s Rajindra Hospital, where the severely injured farmers are being admitted. 

The reason for the death of Shubhkaran Singh, a 21-year-old protester, is yet to be ascertained. While farmers have alleged the Bhatinda native died in police firing at the Khanauri border, the hospital documents seen by Newslaundry stated that he was “brought dead”. The postmortem is yet to be done.    

The three others who died in the protests – which has been witness to recurring tear gas shelling and alleged firing of pellet and rubber bullets – are Gyan Singh, 65, of Gurdaspur; and Manjeet Singh, 72, and Narendra Pal Singh, 45, from Patiala. All the three died of cardiac arrest between February 16 and February 21. 

A total of 46 farmers have been admitted to the Rajindra Hospital with severe injuries so far. Of these, 18 were reportedly hit by “gunshots”, five by “pellets” and two by tear gas, as per the hospital documents.

Farmers enroute to Delhi for protests to demand minimum support price have camped at the border areas of Punjab and Haryana amid heavy barricading by the police, including cemented barricades, nails and barbed wires. The mobile services have also been suspended in these areas. 

Medical superintendent at Rajindra Hospital Dr HS Rekhi said farmers with different injuries are coming to the hospital, including some with “plastic” pellet gun injuries. The doctor said pellet gun injuries in the head can also be fatal. 

Watch.

Newslaundry has been at ground zero since their agitation began. Watch this video on their demands, the police action, and the approach taken by the centre. 

Will Uttar Pradesh farmers also march to Delhi? Watch here.  

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