- विज्ञापन -
Punjab: Jagjit Singh Dallewal, leader of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political organization), started an indefinite hunger strike at Khanauri border, beginning at midnight on Friday. He was discharged from DMC Hospital around 8 PM on Friday, where fellow leaders Sarvan Singh Pandher and others came to pick him up in Ludhiana.
Upon leaving the hospital, Dallewal announced that his hunger strike had continued during his hospital stay and would persist. The farmer leaders stated that upon reaching Khanauri, Dallewal would sit for his hunger strike and that Sukjeet Singh Hardojhanda’s hunger strike would be terminated.
Dallewal proclaimed that the medical tests were merely an excuse and that the government aimed to end their movement. He stated that no tests were conducted in the hospital, not even a blood pressure check. Criticizing the Punjab government, Dallewal remarked that Chief Minister Mann had been collaborating with the central government under the guise of being a well-wisher for Punjab. He asserted that farmers would secure their rights at any cost and reiterated the demand for Minimum Support Price (MSP). According to him, securing MSP would encourage farmers to cultivate alternative crops instead of just rice, thereby alleviating Punjab’s water crisis. He added that a strong agricultural base is essential for a robust national economy. Although doctors urged him to end his hunger strike, Dallewal remained steadfast in his decision. He emphasized that Congress had proposed a private member bill in Parliament, which should now be acted upon, and raised the need to discuss the issues of farmers and laborers in Parliament.
Sarvan Singh Pandher, who had come to pick up Dallewal in Ludhiana, mentioned that a meeting of the Morcha would take place in Khanauri on Saturday to discuss the future strategy. The planned march to Delhi on December 6 is also confirmed. Pandher clarified that there are no disagreements with the Punjab government; the conflict lies with the central government, but the Punjab government has unnecessarily interfered. Regarding the Congress MPs’ protest outside Parliament, Pandher pointed out that while Congress leaders held placards denouncing the government, they quickly tucked them away when JP Nadda appeared, revealing their duplicitous nature.
On Friday, a meeting lasted about an hour and a half between farmers and police at Khanauri border. In response to farmers’ anger, police agreed to release Dallewal from the hospital. Kaka Singh Kotda, state general secretary of the Bharatiya Kisan Union Ekta (Sidhupur), reported that the Patiala range DIG Mandeep Singh Sidhu and Patiala SSP Dr. Nanak Singh were present at the meeting, where the police administration accepted the farmers’ demands unconditionally.
