Indian Farm Laws: Modi Gov't Under Fire as Three Female Protesters Are Killed by Truck

India's farmers have been demonstrating since November against three controversial laws passed by the Modi government last September. They have claimed that more than 600 members of their community have died during the protests so far.

In a latest tragedy hitting the protesting farmers on Delhi's border, three elderly women were killed and two critically injured after a speeding truck hit them on Thursday morning.

Delhi state chief, Arvind Kejriwal, who leads the Aam Aadmi Party, lashed out at the Narendra Modi-led federal government for refusing to heed to the demands of the farming community.

"If only the federal government were to listen to the farmers' demands, families will not have to sit on the roads to protest," said Kejriwal.

हादसा बेहद दुखद है। दिवंगत आत्माओं की शांति के लिए प्रभु से प्रार्थना करता हूँ।

केंद्र सरकार अगर अपनी ज़िद छोड़कर किसानों की मांगें मान ले तो हमारे किसान परिवारों को यूँ सड़कों पर बैठने की ज़रूरत ही नहीं पड़ेगी। ऐसे दुखद हादसे होंगे ही नहीं। https://t.co/BKUSKVJEus

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) October 28, 2021

The three women, run over by a truck on Delhi's Tikri border, came from the Mansa district of the state of Punjab. They had joined the farmers' protest only a few days ago. The incident occurred as the women were waiting for a lift to the railway station so that they could travel home.

Punjab's state chief, Charanjit Singh Channi, has lamented the death of the female farmers, describing it as an "irreparable loss" and announcing ex-gratia relief of INR500,000 ($6,683 ) for the bereaved families.

Nothing can compensate for the lives lost. The tragedy has caused irreparable loss to the concerned families of Punjab. However, taking recourse to financial relief, My Govt. announces Rs.5 lac each for the dead and free treatment for the injured. https://t.co/hIJsXbYo69

— Charanjit S Channi (@CHARANJITCHANNI) October 28, 2021