Amarinder, Khattar condole death of Sikh preacher near Singhu border

Police said he allegedly died by suicide on Wednesday. A handwritten note in Punjabi, purportedly left behind by the deceased, says he was unable to bear the "pain of farmers".

Police is verifying the note.

An official of the Sonipat police said they had received a call that he allegedly shot himself. The hospital authorities in Panipat declared him brought dead.

Khattar said Sant Ram Singh's death "is an irreparable loss for the Sant Samaj, the country and the state".

He added that the demise was also an "irreparable loss" to him. "This is a moment of great sorrow," he said in a tweet.

Khattar said the real tribute to Singh would be to walk the path of human welfare shown by him.

Amarinder, too, said he was saddened on learning about the preacher's death.

"Extremely shocked and saddened on learning the tragic news of Sant Ram Singh ji of Nanaksar Singhra wale from Karnal ending his life at Singhu Border in protest against the Centre's Farm Laws. My prayers are with his family and supporters in this time of grief," he said in a tweet.

Sant Ram Singh's body was taken to the Nanaksar Gurdwara in Singhra village, Karnal on Wednesday night, where a large number of his followers had gathered.

Many recalled that he had dedicated his life to the service of humanity and also used to organize 'satsangs' (prayer meetings) and 'langars' (community kitchen) for thousands of people.

Thousands of farmers from Punjab, Haryana, and other states have been protesting near Delhi's borders for over three weeks, demanding that the Centre's new farm laws be repealed.

Haryana Bharatiya Kisan Union chief Gurnam Singh on Thursday said Sant Ram Singh was a noble soul who dedicated his life to humanity's service.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had on Wednesday said the Modi government should quit its "stubbornness" and withdraw the new farm laws that the farmers are protesting.

Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal said he was anguished to hear that the cleric allegedly died by suicide.