Three women lost their lives, and several others were injured in a series of four bus accidents on Saturday, as dense fog shrouded Punjab and Haryana. The buses were carrying farmer union members en route to the 'Kisan Mahapanchayat' organized in Punjab's Khanauri and Haryana's Tohana. The Mahapanchayat was convened to press for a legal guarantee on the minimum support price (MSP) for crops.
Fatal Accidents Amid Zero Visibility
The accidents, attributed to near-zero visibility between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m., disrupted the farmers' journey.
- In Barnala district, a bus carrying 52 members of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) Ugrahan overturned after hitting a road divider at the Handiyaya bypass, resulting in the tragic deaths of three women and critical injuries to two men.
- Another collision in Barnala occurred when a truck carrying food grains struck a bus with 52 passengers, all hailing from Dallewal, the village of fasting farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal.
- In Bathinda, two separate accidents involving buses carrying BKU Ugrahan members from Deonwala and Faridkot’s Matta village left several injured. The injured were rushed to AIIMS Bathinda and local civil hospitals, while others continued their journey to attend the Mahapanchayat.
Farmer Leader’s Hunger Strike Enters 40th Day
Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, 70, whose indefinite hunger strike marked its 40th day, had called for large-scale participation in the Mahapanchayat. Despite efforts by the Punjab government to persuade him to accept medical aid, Dallewal has refused intervention. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann confirmed that government doctors are closely monitoring his health.
The protest seeks the Centre’s assurance on MSP through legal safeguards. Farmers accuse the Central government of showing a "stubborn" stance on their demands. “This issue is not for the courts; the (Narendra) Modi government must engage directly with the farmers,” emphasized a farmer leader.
Government's Response
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reiterated that the Centre would act as per Supreme Court directives on the matter. However, tensions remain high as farmers continue their agitation for MSP guarantees.
The tragic accidents cast a somber shadow over the Mahapanchayat, highlighting the risks and determination of farmers striving for their demands amid challenging conditions.
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