Punjab farmers and police clashed on Thursday at Ludhiana DMC Hospital over access to arrested farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, escalating tensions.
Dallewal has been detained by the police for 58 hours following his planned indefinite fast to protest MSP (Minimum Support Price) and other agricultural issues. The protesting farmers accused the government of violating their rights by preventing them from meeting Dallewal.
Farmers gathered at the hospital to ask senior officials for answers and to demand to know who issued the limitations. A standoff apparently resulted from cops refusing to offer any details, which worsened the situation.
Two farmer leaders were taken into custody by the police to defuse the situation as emotions increased. Many farmers, however, insisted that they would not depart until they had the opportunity to see Dallewal.
Meanwhile, at the Khanauri border, a meeting of farmer leaders from Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh was held to plan the next phase of their protest. Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who had been on an indefinite fast, was detained before he could begin his protest, drawing strong criticism from farmers and activists.
The protesting farmers questioned the legality of the restrictions, arguing that blocking access to Dallewal violated democratic principles.
In videos shared on social media, police officers explained that the restrictions were based on orders from higher authorities, but they refused to reveal the source of these instructions.
The farmers have made it clear that they will only engage in discussions with the government if Dallewal is returned to the protest site.
Prominent farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher demanded that protests be intensified near the Khanauri border. He called on more farmers to participate in the protests at the borders of Shambhu and Khanauri.
Both the federal and state administrations, according to Pandher, are attempting to sabotage the farmers' movement. He said that farmers will march to Delhi on December 6 if their demands were not satisfied in ten days.
Jigarjot Singh, Dallewal's grandson, highlighted his grandfather's strength while voicing concerns about his care in an internet video. It's impossible to intimidate my granddad. Jigarjot urged farmers to remain united and fortify the protest locations, saying, "No government or administration can suppress him."
The Punjab government is under increasing pressure to resolve the ongoing crisis. Despite several meetings, no solutions have been found that satisfy the farmers. Police officials, including DIG Manjeet Singh Sidhu and SSP Patiala Nanak Singh, have visited protest sites but have been unable to offer any satisfactory resolutions.
The farmers' agitation began in February, centered around 13 demands, including a guaranteed MSP. Dallewal, who is battling cancer, had announced his indefinite fast in early November, even transferring his land to his family in preparation for the protest.
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