Bathinda: Protesting farmer leaders arrested over a week ago walked out of jails in AAP-governed Punjab Friday, emerging with clenched fists. Punjab AG Gurminder Singh, meanwhile, informed SC that farmer neta Jagjit Dallewal broke his indefinite fast Friday.
Kisan netas were taken into custody on March 19 after meeting a ministerial delegation over their demands, which include MSP and crop loan waivers.
On Dallewal breaking his fast, the apex court said, “We always said he is a genuine farmer leader. But there were other elements who did not want a resolution of the issues. We know this as we are aware of the ground situation and do not live in ivory towers.”
Regarding the demands of farmers, SC said it would consider requesting Centre to find measures to address their grievances after Punjab govt files a fresh report on the situation. It also asked SC-appointed committee to submit a supplementary report on issues raised by farmers.
On Friday, many of the released farm leaders prayed at a gurdwara in Patiala and met Dallewal in hospital. They said they would take stock of the situation and then decide the future course of action.
Dallewal finally sipped water after eight days, doing so in the presence of Punjab govt emissaries. Dallewal had stopped drinking water since the arrests, demanding the release of all fellow farm leaders. He had also sought compensation for belongings of farmers that went missing from protest sites following the police action last week.
Earlier, a habeas corpus petition in Punjab and Haryana high court over Dallewal was disposed of. The court was told that he was not in illegal confinement, was admitted to hospital of his volition, and that his family was free to meet him.