111 farmers begin fast unto death on day 51 of Dallewal's hunger strike

Chandigarh: Wearing black clothing and carrying posters around their necks that read, in Punjabi, "We will attain martyrdom before Jagjit Singh Dallewal," 111 farmers started their fast-unto-death on Wednesday near the Khanauri border in support of Dallewal.

Farmers in Punjab have been protesting against the Union Government more and more, calling for a legal guarantee of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops, among other things.

As they headed towards Haryana, the farmers held prayers before starting their fast-unto-death. After that, they sat on the road after slicing through the barbed wire. Haryana police have posted considerable security on their side of the border.

The farmers who are demonstrating claim they are dedicated and emotionally committed to their cause, and they are willing to sacrifice themselves before Dallewal to support it.

Protesters will now be supplied only water and placed in a tent to protect them from the cold. According to a farmer leader, Dallewal's condition is deteriorating as his body rejects water, and he is on the verge of multi-organ failure, TNIE reported.

Despite his long fasting, he has refused medical treatment, causing his health to deteriorate even further. Doctors evaluating Dallewal confirmed his deteriorating condition, noticing an elevated ketone level and muscle mass loss.

Criticising the Centre, farmer leader Abhimanyu Kohar said, "The Union government is not paying heed to farmers’ demands. Today, Dallewal’s fast-unto-death entered day 51. The Centre is neither ready to listen to anything, nor is it initiating talks or fulfilling our demands. Farmers are emotional, and they have said that they will also follow Dallewal and start an indefinite fast peacefully."

Kohar described Dallewal's condition as critical due to the indefinite fast. Haryana Police DSP Amit Bhatia revealed that the police had met with farmer leaders and notified them of the imposition of Section 163 of the BNSS in the region.

"We are showing utmost restraint and have requested the farmer leaders not to take any actions that could create a law and order problem," he said.

Farmer representative Kaka Singh Kotra acknowledged that the Haryana police had informed them of the imposition of Section 163 of the BNSS.

"We told them that the farmers were not heading to Delhi but sitting on a peaceful hunger strike near the morcha site. We told them the administration is free to use force. They can lob tear gas, use a cane charge, or arrest the farmers, but we will continue the protest at the site," Kotra said.

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) convenor, Dallewal, has been fasting at the Khanauri border between Punjab and Haryana since November 26 of last year. Dallewal is demanding a number of concessions from the government, including a legal guarantee for MSP on crops.

To keep an eye on Dallewal's health, the Punjab government has sent medical teams from Rajindra Medical College and Mata Kaushalya Hospital in Patiala. Additionally, a temporary hospital has been established close to the protest location, complete with emergency equipment and medicines.

The farmers who were protesting had earlier said that the Centre might not be able to cope with the consequences if anything untoward happens to Dallewal.

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan recently said that the government would follow the Supreme Court's directives when questioned about possible negotiations with the farmers to end the standoff.