Chandigarh, November 26, 2024: Jagjit Singh Dallewal, leader of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (non-political), was detained by Punjab Police early Tuesday before he could begin his indefinite hunger strike at the Khanauri Border on the Haryana-Punjab border. Authorities transferred him to DMC Hospital in Ludhiana, where the premises were sealed to restrict public access.
Dallewal has refused food since his detention, maintaining his protest in the hospital. In response, farmer leader Sukhjit Singh Hardo Jhande announced his decision to undertake an indefinite fast at Khanauri Border, pledging that if anything happened to him, another farmer would take his place.
Farmers assembled at the Khanauri Border to protest Dallewal’s detention, with senior leaders confirming his stable health despite fasting. To ease tensions, officials from Haryana and Punjab reportedly agreed to open a 4-foot section of the Shambhu Border for passage, though no formal declaration was made.
The incident drew sharp criticism, including from wrestler Bajrang Punia, who condemned the move as an attack on farmers’ rights and the Constitution. Punia called on farmers and youth to join protests at the Shambhu Border to challenge the Punjab and Central governments.
Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher claimed Dallewal was taken into custody around 2 a.m. Monday, with his location initially undisclosed. Pandher demanded clarity from the Punjab Government on the detention and warned of serious consequences if the matter remained unresolved.
DIG of Patiala Range, Mandeep Singh Sidhu, stated that Dallewal’s age and health prompted concerns over the impact of a large gathering on medical services, leading to his transfer to DMC Ludhiana for health checks.
