High power committee arrives at Khanauri border, to meet Dallewal

A high power committee appointed by the Supreme Court to initiate talks with the farmers has arrived at Dhabi Gujran near Khanauri border on Monday. The committee, led by retired HC judge Justice Nawab Singh, and comprising former DGP BS Sandhu, economist RS Ghuman, agriculture expert Devinder Sharma, and Punjab Farmers’ Commission chairperson Sukhpal Singh is meeting Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on fast unto death for past 42 days.

Farmer leader Kaka Singh Kotda said that Dallewal has decided to interact with the committee members and if the conversation prolongs, Abhimanyu Kohar will interact with them.

DIG Mandeep Singh Sidhu and former DIG Narinder Bhargav, who are engaging in back channel talks with the farmer leader, are leading the committee members.

Monday’s meeting has come on a day of hearing in the Supreme Court.

Besides, the meeting has come in the backdrop of the Punjab government approaching the Centre to hold talks with the protesting farmers.

On Saturday, Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian sought the intervention of Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and pressed him for a dialogue with the protesting farmers.

On Sunday evening, Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police Nanak Singh and former DIG Narinder Bhargav held a closed-door meeting with farmer leaders amid concerns over Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s health.

The meeting came following reports that Dallewal’s health deteriorated following his 11-minute address on Saturday at the Khanauri protest site on the Punjab-Haryana border, where farmer unions held a mahapanchayat.

Doctors said Dallewal’s internal organs, including liver, kidneys and lungs, are under stress. Portable eco cardiography, X-ray and ultrasound machines have been placed at the spot.