A 22-year-old Punjab farmer, who was one of the protesters, succumbed to a head injury at the Khanauri border crossing in Sangrur district on Wednesday.

The incident took place when security personnel from Haryana allegedly deployed tear gas shells and, according to farmers, even rubber bullets against them as they resumed their ‘Delhi Chalo’ march to seek a minimum support price (MSP) guarantee.

According to Punjab officials, a total of 26 individuals sustained injuries at the Khanauri and Shambhu border crossings where Haryana Police have erected barricades to halt the farmers’ march, as reported by Indian Express.

The farmer, identified as Shubhkaran Singh from Balloh village in Bathinda, died of a head injury, becoming the first casualty in the farmers’ protest. He was declared dead at Rajindra Hospital in Patiala, however, the reason for Shubhkaran’s head injury remains unclear.

Harcharan Singh Bhullar, DIG (Patiala range), told The Indian Express, "While the exact details will be made available by doctors, the information we have is that a rubber bullet hit him (Shubhkaran). We have sent a DSP to coordinate with the doctors."

Bhullar, citing preliminary information, stated, “A group of protesters tried to create a smokescreen by setting stubble on fire, and security personnel hurled tear gas shells and fired rubber bullets.”

Dr Harnam Singh Rekhi, the Medical Superintendent of Rajindra Hospital, revealed, “Shubhkaran was brought dead from Khanauri with an injury on the back of the head.” He noted that it could be a bullet injury, but the precise cause would be determined only after a post-mortem examination, IndianExpress reported.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann confirmed the death and pledged to hold accountable those responsible for Shubhkaran's death. "I have seen the video of the incident. We will conduct an investigation and register an FIR against the guilty officers."