100 tractor-trailers lined up, farmers fortify protest site

Farmers have parked many tractor-trailers around the Khanauri protest site where farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal is continuing his fast-unto-death. The fortification comes in response to the November 26 incident, when Dallewal was allegedly taken to a hospital in Ludhiana by the police.

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The protest site has been fortified with over 100 trailers having been parked next to each other and some even welded together. Heightening security measures, around 700 farmers are also participating in the thikri pehra (night vigil) and have set up three check-points to monitor and control access to the area.

Anti-fog torches have been given to volunteers to keep an eye around the “pandal” where Dallewal is fasting.

Angrez Singh, a member of the Bharati Kisan Union, Sidhupur, said the vigil had been increased after Thursday night, when around eight police vehicles were reportedly spotted near the protest venue. The sighting of the vehicles, which later crossed into Haryana, has added to the tension at the site.

“We have also received information that the police might deploy earth movers to dismantle the trailers We have prepared a backup plan for that scenario as well,” Angrez Singh said.

There was also speculation about deployment of an air ambulance. This has further escalated tension among the protesters. Farmer leader Pargat Singh dismissed any notion that Dallewal was being held against his will.

“Dallewal is not a captive. He is sitting on protest because the central government has failed to implement the promises it made while repealing the three controversial farm laws in 2021. The Union Government should initiate talks and the leader will end his fast,” Pargat Singh added.