111 farmers enter Haryana via Khanauri, begin indefinite fast

Further intensifying their stir against the Centre, a group of 111 farmers wearing black clothes entered the Haryana territory at the Khanauri border and began fast-unto-death in solidarity with fasting farm leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal.

After talks with the Haryana Government, the farmers commenced their fast a few metres away from the site finalised yesterday.

Farm leader Kaka Singh Kotra said 111 farmers, whose consent was taken, started indefinite fast in the Haryana territory, which falls in Jind district.

Protesters on our land: Jind DC

Farmers across the barricades at the Khanauri border are sitting on Haryana land as per the revenue record. Around two acres (125 metres) across the barricades at the Khanauri border belong to Haryana. — Mohd Imran Raza, Deputy Commissioner, Jind

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Jind DSP Amit Bhatia said talks were on with farm leaders and they had been told about the imposition of Section 163 of the BNSS in the area. “We are showing utmost restraint. We have requested the farm leaders that no such action should be taken that creates a law and order problem,” said Bhatia.

Volunteers keep vigil

Volunteers are maintaining night vigil near the group of farmers observing indefinite fast following inputs that the Haryana Police could condcut a raid to detain them.

Jind Deputy Commissioner Mohd Imran Raza said farmers across the barricades at the Khanauri border were sitting on Haryana land as per the revenue record. The DC said around two acres (125 metres) across the barricades at the Khanauri border belong to Haryana. The protesting farmers had been sitting on Haryana land (close to barricades) for the past one year, said Raza, adding that the situation was peaceful.

Kotra said the Haryana Police had apprised them of imposition of Section 163 of the BNSS. “We informed the police that the farmers are not heading to Delhi and will observe hunger strike near the morcha site. The administration is free to use force,” he said. Kotra said tents and blankets had been arranged for the farmers observing indefinite fast and a medical team under the supervision of Avtar Singh Dhillon from the Five Rivers Heart Association was overseeing their health condition.

Since morning, the state Health Department had deployed medical teams and ambulances to tackle any emergency.

Dallewal’s fast-unto-death entered its 51st day on Wednesday and he was having difficulty in drinking water.

Dallewal, who is a convener of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-political), has been on an indefinite fast at the Khanauri border since November 26.

The farmers under the banner of SKM (Non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have been camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders since February 13, 2024, after their ‘Dilli Chalo’ march was halted by security forces. The farmers have been demanding legal guarantee for MSP on crops, implementation of Swaminathan Commission report and farm loan waiver, among others.

Sarwan Singh Pandher, coordinator of the two forums, demanded status quo. “I do not understand the reason behind deployment of huge force and creating panic. How can 111 farmers, who are observing a fast-unto-death, can be a threat to the government?” said Pandher.

(With inputs from Deepender Deswal)