Following the death of a 21-year-old farmer at the Khanauri barrier on Wednesday, Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Partap Singh Bajwa lambasted Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann, who also holds the home portfolio, for failing to stop the BJP-led Haryana government from firing in Punjab’s jurisdiction.

Senior Congress leader Bajwa also condemned the Haryana government in the strongest terms for “committing cruelty” by using tear gas and rubber bullets against the peacefully protesting farmers.

“Farmer, Shubh Karan Singh of Ballo village in Bathinda, allegedly died from a rubber bullet wound. It was fired by the Haryana police while he was still in Punjab’s jurisdiction, protesting peacefully,” Bajwa added.

He also offered condolences to the family of the deceased. “The Haryana police have been firing tear gas shells and rubber bullets since February 13. However, the Punjab CM failed miserably to lodge an FIR against the Haryana Police and the Haryana home minister Anil Vij,” he added.

Postpone ‘Rangala Punjab’ celebrations: Balbir Sidhu

Mohali Senior Congress leader and former Punjab health minister Balbir Singh Sidhu has urged the Mann government to postpone the ‘Rangla Punjab’ celebrations in wake of the death of a young farmer at Khanauri barrier and other sacrifices that the protesting farmers are being forced to make. The celebrations were scheduled from February 23 to 29 in Amritsar. He said that it won’t be appropriate to sing, dance, feast and celebrate when farmers are struggling. He also said that chief minister Bhagwant Mann should hold talks with his Haryana counterpart to facilitate peaceful protests.