The Punjab police chief and a senior official of the Union home ministry met with farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal at the Khanauri border on Sunday and enquired about his health. The authorities heard Dallewal’s demands and urged him to give up his indefinite fast seeking Minimum Support Price for crops and various other demands.
Gaurav Yadav, Punjab Director General of Police and Mayank Mishra, a Director in the Ministry of Home Affairs met with Dallewal following the Supreme Court’s directions to ensure medical help for the farmer leader. The apex court had directed authorities to persuade the protesting farmers to give up the protest and resolve issues through talks.
Addressing presspersons, Mishra said, “We have heard whatever Dallewal’s demands are.” Mishra mentioned he did not present any proposals during the meeting and was there as per directions of the Supreme Court.
The 70-year-old Dallewal, a cancer patient, has been on an indefinite fast at the Khanauri border demanding the Centre to accept the agitating farmers' demands, including a legal guarantee of MSP on crops.
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Punjab police chief Yadav said, "We have appealed to Dallewal that the way he is leading a peaceful agitation, it has been appreciated everywhere. And the government has also taken cognisance of it." Yadav said the Punjab government considers the farmers' demands are genuine and has also supported them.
The DGP said, “The chief minister has specially sent a message and our efforts are that talks should be held on their demands and this issue is resolved." He added Dallewal’s vitals are being monitored continuously and a well-equipped ambulance has been stationed in the area to provide medical treatment to Dallewal. He added they are constantly in talks with farmers and expressed hope that they would arrive at a positive outcome.
Farmers under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have been protesting from Shambhu and Khanauri border points since February after security forces stopped their march to Delhi on various demands. Security forces also stopped three attempts by farmers this month to march to Delhi.