One killed, 17 farmers injured as bus returning from protest in Badal village meets with accident

Sukhmeet Bhasin
Tribune News Service
Bathinda, September 23

One farmer has died and seventeen others have been injured as a bus carrying farmers returning from a protest in Badal village met with an accident near Kotbhara village on Mansa road in the district late Tuesday night.

Farmers on Wednesday morning staged a protest at ITI chowk on Mansa road flyover demanding Rs 10 lakh compensation for the deceased's family. The deceased have been identified as Mukhtiar Singh from Kishangarh village in Mansa district.

They all were members of BKU Ekta Urghana and were staging a protest at Badal village from many days.

After the protest on Tuesday, around 8 pm, the farmers were returning to their village when their bus rammed into tractor-trolley standing on the road. All the injured were taken to the civil hospital and some in serious condition were shifted to Max hospital.

BKU Ekta Urgahan leader Jagseer Singh said “They are staging a protest by blocking the road on ITI chowk as no district administration officials have come to ask for their well being since last night. We are demanding compensation for the deceased and free treatment for our injured farmers”.

Finance Minister Manpreet Badal said on Twitter: “Our heartfelt condolences with the family of Mukhtiar Singh from Kishangarh village who died in the road accident near Bathinda. Deputy Commissioner and CMO have been directed to give utmost attention and help to all the injured”