Ahead of hunger strike, Punjab Police detain farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal at Khanauri border

“There were over 250 people and they locked all the farmers in their huts. Those in trollies were forcibly held by the police until they took Dallewal along with them,” Amrik Singh said.

Farmers gather at Khanauri border.

“Everything happened within two minutes, we got no chance to do anything. I sleep along with Pradhan ji ( Dallewal). I was held by the cops, and later they took Pradhan ji along. I couldn’t even reach my mobile phone to make a video,” said Balpreet Singh.

Sarwan Singh Pandher, coordinator, Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), said, “I have learnt that it was a joint operation of the Punjab Police, Haryana Police, and central forces… We strongly condemn this act of security forces who are preventing our right to protest”.

“We don’t even know where our leader has been taken. The Punjab government should let us immediately inform about his whereabouts or the consequences wouldn’t be good,” he added.

“Cops broke the wall of the temporary room in which Dallewal slept,” a BKU leader told Indian Express.

Following the incident, BKU Sidhupur and SKM (non-political) have given a call to the farmers to reach the Khanauri border in large numbers.

SKM has planned Chetavni rallies in over 500 districts of India along with central trade unions on the day. In addition, SKM non-political and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have also announced to march towards Delhi by foot from the Shambhu border on December 6.

When contacted by The Indian Express, Dr Nanak Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Patiala, said they have not detained Dallewal. “We have got him admitted to Ludhiana’s Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) because of his age and health issues. He is a cancer patient as well”.

A follower of Anna Hazare, Dallewal, 70, is known for his hunger strikes and has sat on such protests several times in the past.

Reacting to Dallewal’s detention, Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu said no central agency was involved.

“The detention of farmer leader Dallewal ji has been orchestrated by the Bhagwant Mann government. It is purely the work of the state police, aimed at shifting the blame onto central agencies to divert attention from the real issue. The Central Government always works for the welfare of farmers and does not engage in such tactics,” Bittu said.

“We don’t even know where our leader has been taken. The Punjab government should let us immediately inform about his whereabouts or the consequences wouldn’t be good,” he added.