The Aryavarth Express
Agency (Patiala): Police have filed a culpable homicide case against BJP leader Harwinder Singh Harpalpur after the death of a farmer, Surinder Pal Singh, during a protest in Patiala on May 4. Singh, aged 60, died after falling and hitting the ground while protesting against BJP candidate Preneet Kaur, who was running for the Patiala Lok Sabha seat.
Resham Singh, the nephew of the deceased, filed a complaint stating that his uncle was part of a group of farmers seeking to confront Kaur with their concerns. However, the confrontation allegedly led to Harpalpur and other unidentified individuals pushing the farmers. During this chaos, Surinder Pal fell and struck his head, ultimately resulting in his death. He was declared dead at the Rajpura Civil Hospital. An FIR was filed against Harpalpur and two others under Section 304 of the Indian Penal Code.
Sarwan Singh Pandher, a leader of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (SKM), has called for Harpalpur’s immediate arrest. He emphasized that should the police fail to act, farmers will hold a protest at Preneet Kaur’s residence in Patiala on May 8. Additionally, the farming community demands financial compensation and a government job for one of Surinder Pal’s family members.
BJP politicians continue to face intense resistance from farmers during their election campaigns. At these events, farmers often question BJP leaders while waving black flags to show their dissatisfaction with unmet demands. Protests also persist at the Shambhu border, where farmers have gathered to demonstrate.
Meanwhile, another incident unfolded on May 5 at the Shambhu railway station, where a 55-year-old woman farmer named Balwinder Kaur died from cardiac arrest. She was part of a rail blockade protesting the arrests of three farmers who participated in the ‘Delhi Chalo’ agitation.