As farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s indefinite hunger strike entered its 36th day, the Supreme Court is set to review the Punjab government’s actions to ensure his treatment on Tuesday, December 31.
“We will not allow the morcha to be taken. Either we will win, or we will lay down our lives for this cause,” Dallewal said in a statement to supporters, warning that government forces were being mobilised.
On December 29, a team of Punjab government officials tried to convince the ailing septuagenarian to accept medical help, but he refused, fearing forceful removal from the protest site. A high-level team of Punjab government officials had met Jagjit Singh Dallewal, urging him to accept medical treatment despite his ongoing fast.
Punjab Bandh
“Farmer union leaders will enforce a chakka jam on roads and rail lines from 7 am to 4 pm. Government and private institutions are requested to stay closed. Only emergency vehicles, such as ambulances, marriage vehicles, or anyone in a dire emergency, will be allowed to pass,” reports quoted a senior farm leader as saying.
The decision to give a call for a ‘Punjab bandh’ was taken last week by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha. Sarwan Singh Pandher — who happens to be the coordinator of both forums — said traders, transporters, employees unions, toll plaza workers, labour, ex-servicemen, Sarpanches and teachers’ unions, social and other bodies, and some other sections have lent their support to the bandh.
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