Seeking relief for Delhi stir victims, farmers gherao Punjab minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian’s house

Muktsar: Braving bone-chilling cold, the families of farmers — who had lost their lives during the year-long protest against the now repealed farm laws near the borders of Delhi — continued their indefinite protest outside the residence of Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian at Khudian village in Lambi here.

The protesters are demanding compensation of Rs 5 lakh each announced by the state government and a job to the next of kin of the deceased. The protesters are also demanding the compensation of Rs 3 lakh each announced by then Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao in 2021.

As many as 750 farmers had lost their lives during the farm agitation at Delhi borders. Virpal Kaur, whose husband died during the agitation, said: “Our family has neither got the government job promised by the Punjab Government nor the compensation announced by the Telangana Government.”

A protester said they had made several rounds to offices of authorities. “Some of us have met the Chief Minister as well but nothing has happened,” a protester said. A senior government official said a committee was looking into the matter and action would be taken after getting a report.