Punjab DGP, MHA director request farmer leader Dallewal to end fast

Chandigarh: Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, along with Union Ministry of Home Affairs official Mayank Mishra, met with farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal on Sunday, who has been on a fast-unto-death for 20 days to press the Centre for support on his demands. The officials inquired about Dallewal's health and urged him to end his fast. This marked the first meeting between Union government representatives and a farmer leader since the inconclusive talks held in February.

Dallewal, a 70-year-old cancer patient, has been fasting at Khanauri, the border point between Punjab and Haryana, since November 26. His demands include a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) for crops, loan waivers, and reforms to improve conditions in the agricultural sector.

After the meeting, DGP Yadav explained that their visit was to check on Dallewal’s health and listen to his demands. He clarified that no proposals were made regarding the farmer’s demands at the meeting. Yadav also reiterated the government's commitment to addressing these issues and emphasized the importance of keeping dialogue channels open.

The Punjab government has assured that medical assistance will be provided to Dallewal and other protesters, with the authorities making efforts to resolve the situation in coordination with the farmer leaders. The Supreme Court had directed both the Centre and Punjab government to meet Dallewal, offer medical help, and persuade him to end his fast, as his life was considered precious.

Despite the government’s appeals, Dallewal remained resolute in continuing his fast. Medical experts have advised immediate hospitalization due to his deteriorating health.

Before visiting Dallewal, DGP Yadav held a meeting with farmer leaders, including Sukhjit Singh Hardojhande and Kaka Singh Kotda.

Meanwhile, at the Shambhu border between Punjab and Haryana, Haryana security personnel used teargas and water cannons to disperse protesting farmers attempting to cross barricades. This was the third attempt by a group of 101 farmers to march towards the national capital as part of their ongoing protest, which has now lasted for 10 months. The farmers, who have been stationed at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders since February 13, had attempted to proceed to Delhi on December 6 and 8 but were stopped by security forces.

In addition to the ongoing protests, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher announced that protests would escalate with plans to halt trains in Punjab on December 18.

With IANS inputs