3 min readLudhianaDec 16, 2024 03:14 AM IST
First published on: Dec 15, 2024 at 04:18 PM IST
Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav, along with Mayank Mishra, director of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), met Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta Sidhupur) president Jagjit Singh Dallewal on Sunday afternoon as he entered the 20th day of his hunger strike. Mishra told reporters that he was there to meet Dallewal and hear the farmers’ demands as directed by the Supreme Court of India.
It is worth noting that the Supreme Court, in its Friday order, directed both the state and central governments to provide medical assistance to Dallewal and to persuade him to end his hunger strike for the sake of his life.
After the meeting, Yadav said that the Supreme Court had recognised Dallewal as a senior citizen and an important farmer leader. The government, he added, must ensure his well-being as his life is crucial to addressing farming issues.
In line with the court’s directions, well-equipped ambulances and other medical facilities have been arranged at the protest site, Yadav said. He added that administrative and police officials are in regular contact with the farmers.
Despite repeated appeals from the MHA director and the Punjab DGP, Dallewal has so far refused medical assistance. Yadav also stated that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had opened communication channels with the central government to resume talks with the protesting farmers.
Meanwhile, the leaders of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) are seeking an appointment with the Punjab governor to discuss the issue. Dr Darshan Pal, a member of SKM’s national coordination committee, told The Indian Express, “We will approach the Punjab governor on Monday to address the farmers’ demands at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders. Dallewalji’s life is paramount. The governor should coordinate with the Centre to initiate dialogue with the farmers. The demands of protesting unions at Shambhu and Khanauri align with those of the SKM, although our modes of protest differ.”
Separately, Sarwan Singh Pandher, coordinator of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, has written to SKM leadership, urging them to work towards a united struggle over shared demands.
Among others, Congress MP Dharamvira Gandhi, former Congress MLAs Pargat Singh and Kushaldeep Singh Kiki Dhillon, former Olympian wrestler Vinesh Phogat and her husband Somveer Rathi, and AAP cabinet minister Barinder Goyal visited Dallewal to express their support.
Mayank Mishra, Director MHA ( extreme left), Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav second to the left meeting fasting farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal. (Express Photo)
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