scorecardresearch
Saturday, March 30, 2024
Support Our Journalism
HomeIndia65-yr-old 'attempts suicide' at Singhu border, farmer leaders urge against such drastic...

65-yr-old ‘attempts suicide’ at Singhu border, farmer leaders urge against such drastic steps

Doctors at PGIMS Rohtak say condition of Niranjan Singh, a farmer from Punjab’s Tarn Taran, is stable. Farmer leaders say suicides will send the wrong message to the country.

Follow Us :
Text Size:

New Delhi: A 65-year-old farmer allegedly attempted suicide by consuming poison at Singhu border Monday afternoon amid the ongoing protests against the Centre’s three contentious farm laws.

The farmer, identified as Niranjan Singh from Punjab’s Tarn Taran district, is now admitted in PGIMS, Rohtak, and his condition is stable. 

“We were sitting on the stage at Singhu border when suddenly we heard that Niranjan had consumed poisonous pills. We first took him to Civil Hospital, Sonipat, from where he was referred to PGIMS, Rohtak,” said Mukhtiar Singh, Niranjan’s acquaintance, who took him to the hospital.

“He had just arrived last night from Tarn Taran to protest at the Singhu border,” said Mukhtiar. “But when he got here, he was pained by the sight of farmers protesting in the biting cold, while the government remained inconsiderate to our demands,” he added. 

Doctors at PGIMS said that while Singh’s condition was critical when he was brought at around 4 pm, he is now stable. 

“Since he had consumed poison, his condition was not good at all when he arrived. But he has responded to treatment well and is now stable,” said Dr Gajendra Singh, Public Information Officer, PGIMS, Rohtak.

The incident comes a day after a 22-year-old farmer allegedly killed himself after returning from a protest at the Singhu border. On 16 December, a Sikh preacher, Sant Baba Ram Singh, who was pained by the protesting farmers’ plight, is believed to have committed suicide by shooting himself at the Singhu border.


Also read: Wedding planning, feeding buffaloes, farm work — neighbours step in as Punjab farmers protest


Farmer leaders call for courage, solidarity

Earlier Monday, farmer leaders leading the protests released a statement, decrying suicides reported from the site in the last few days. 

“The way the courage of the Punjab’s farmers is being discussed across the country, any act of suicide gives a wrong message. Instead of taking such drastic steps, show solidarity and join the farmers’ struggle, it will ensure our victory,” said the statement released by Buta Singh (president) and Jagmohan Singh Patiala (general secretary) of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Dakonda), one of the 32 farmer unions organising the protests.

For over three weeks, thousands of farmers have been protesting at Delhi’s borders against the three farm laws passed in Parliament in September. Over 20 farmers have died so far, either at Delhi’s borders or in road accidents on the way to Delhi.


Also read: Joginder Ugrahan — ex-Army man leading farm protest says ‘Naxal’ tag is only to divide farmers


 

Subscribe to our channels on YouTube, Telegram & WhatsApp

Support Our Journalism

India needs fair, non-hyphenated and questioning journalism, packed with on-ground reporting. ThePrint – with exceptional reporters, columnists and editors – is doing just that.

Sustaining this needs support from wonderful readers like you.

Whether you live in India or overseas, you can take a paid subscription by clicking here.

Support Our Journalism

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Most Popular