BATHINDA: Apprehending possible attempts by Punjab government to ‘forcibly’ provide medical aid to fasting farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal following the tough stance taken by SC, protesting farmers Sunday stepped up security at the protest site in Khanauri in Punjab.
Dallewal’s fast-unto-death entered the 34th day Sunday, with his health condition slipping every day, according to doctors.
It is learnt that a three-ring security is in place, with stick-carrying volunteers on guard round-the-clock. The volunteers check every vehicle coming to the protest site, note down the registration number, and check identity of those in the vehicle. The tractor-trailers around Dallewal’s chamber have been welded together to prevent any vehicles from approaching it.
SC had Saturday asked Punjab government to file an affidavit outlining the compliance on providing medical aid to Dallewal. The court will take up the matter on December 31. Farmers maintain that the court has taken a strict view on medical aid to Dallewal, but the letters written by Dallewal to the President, PM, and CJI have been ignored.
Farmer Abhimanyu Kohad said their protest is based on non-violent principles, and going by it, Dallewal is facing hardships on his body. He urged SC not to give such hard directions and pointed out that in the event of something government untoward happening, Centre and constitutional institutions will also be held responsible.
In a bid to prevail upon Dallewal to accept medical aid and to assess the situation, retired ADGP Jaskaran Singh, retired DIG Narinder Bhargav, Patiala Range DIG Mandeep Singh Sidhu, and Patiala SSP Nanak Singh held a meeting with farmers at Khanauri.
Amid this, the farmers Sunday readied for December 30 Punjab bandh. SKM (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha called for Punjab bandh and claimed their strike call has received strong support from transporters, employees, traders, and other sections of society including religious bodies. The outfits have called for disruption of rail and road traffic from 7am to 4pm and a complete shutdown, with no supply of even milk and vegetables. Emergency services have, however, been exempted.