CHANDIGARH: Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal's condition turned critical as he fainted on the twenty-fourth day of his fast unto death. On the other hand, the Khap Panchayats of Haryana have extended their support to the farmers and decided to hold a Maha Panchayat in Hisar on December 29.
The Supreme Court reprimanded the Punjab Government for not running regular medical tests on Dallewal, advising it to persuade the leader to take treatment for a week before resuming protest. Dallewal is currently receiving treatment at the protest site.
Sources close to him said that Dallewal fainted this afternoon. Dallewal stepped out of the temporary hut behind the stage at Khanauri border after taking a bath. Shortly after, he vomited and lost consciousness for about ten minutes. "He was quickly wrapped in a blanket and changed into his clothes. He was taken to an area behind the stage as soon as he regained his senses where doctors examined him and fed him water with a spoon," a close associate of Dallewal said.
Senior doctors from Rajindra Medical College and Hospital, along with officials of Patiala Police officials reached the Khanauri border. Sources added that a team of doctors from a NGO 5 Rivers Heart Association had been regularly monitoring him. A mini hospital has been set-up at the protest site to provide him medical aide.
'Attempt to unite all farmer unions'
The Khap Panchayats of Haryana extended their support to the farmers and decided to hold a mahapanchayat in Hisar on December 29 and added that the Maha Panchayat will decide the next course of actions.
A representative of Satrol Khap, Satish said, "We have decided to support the farmers' movement, as it is not the fight of any one farmer, but for the farmers' community. The Maha Panchayat has been called in Bas village of Hisar and we will try to unite all the farmer unions so that the movement can be fought together."
"We demand that the government start talks if it is really concerned about the health of protesting farmers. The government should send a delegation to talk to the farmers within ten days. If something untoward happens to him then the government will be solely responsible," he said.
He said that on December 13, the committee of Khaps went to Khanauri border to meet Dallewal.
"Earlier during the farmers' protest dharnas were held and Khaps supported the movement but during elections, everything was stopped but now the movement will be renewed. We want all farmer unions to once again unite on this issue. The 11-member committee of Khaps is supporting the farmers' movement," he added.