111 farmers begin fast-unto-death at Khanauri border in solidarity with Dallewal
Intensifying their stir against the Centre in support of their demands, a ‘jatha’ of 111 farmers wearing black clothes crossed the barbed fence into Haryana at the Khanauri border and started their fast-unto-death.
The group that is holding the protest in solidarity with farmer leader Jagjit Dallewal held a prayer before commencing the fast.
After talks with the officials of the Haryana government, the farmers had agreed to start their protest a few metres from the designated site. However, farmer leader Kaka Singh Kotra said the protest started in the Haryana area and not in Punjab.
The area falls in Jind. Haryana DSP Amit Bhatia said talks were on with farmer leaders and they had been told about the imposition of Section 163 of the BNSS in the area.
"We are showing utmost restraint and requested the farmer leaders that no such action should be taken that creates a law and order problem, " said Bhatia.
Kotra said the Haryana police had told them of imposition of Section 163 of the BNSS. "We told them the farmers were not heading to Delhi but sitting on a peaceful hunger strike near the morcha site. We told them the administration is free to use force. They can lob tear gas, use cane charge or arrest the farmers but they will continue at the site."
He said tents and blankets were being arranged for the farmers.
Heavy police force was deployed at the border on the Haryana side since morning as the Haryana police told the farmer leaders to shift the protest venue.
Since morning, the health department of Punjab had deployed medical teams and ambulances to tackle any emergency.
Meanwhile, Dallewal's fast-unto-death reached the 51st day on Wednesday with farmer leaders saying he was having difficulty in drinking water.
The farmers had earlier said Dallewal had not been eating anything and was just surviving on water.
Doctors attending to Dallewal said his health is deteriorating by the day.