Patiala DC, SSP meet farm leader Dallewal

Following an order of Supreme Court of India, Patiala Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dr Preeti Yadav and Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dr Nanak Singh on Saturday met farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, whose fast-unto-death today enters 19^th day at Khanauri border. They asked Dallewal about his well-being, and urged him to get medical aid and break his indefinite fast. But Dallewal reportedly remained adamant not to take any treatment or break his fast-unto-death.

Talking to The Tribune, Lakhwinder Singh Aulakh, state president, Bharatiya Kisan Ekta, Haryana, said that both officers told Dallewal that they were very much worried about his health condition and urged him to take medical treatment. But Dallewal made it clear to them that his fast-unto-death would continue because as compared to his own life he loved lives of farmers, who have been committing suicides throughout the country due to sale of their crops below the Minimum Support Price (MSP), he added.

Sukhjit Singh Hardo Jhande, state president, Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Union, said Dallewal also told the DC and the SSP that he could not break his fast-unto-death till demands of farmers are met by the Centre as legal guarantee on MSP of crops is a must to save the farmers from the on-going increasing debt and suicides.