NEW DELHI: A group of 121 farmers, who had been on an indefinite hunger strike at the Khanauri protest site in support of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, ended their fast-onto-death on Sunday after he accepted medical assistance.
The farmers ended their fast by sipping juice in the presence of deputy inspector general of police Mandeep Singh Sidhu and Patiala senior superintendent of police Nanak Singh.
Dallewal, 70, had been on a hunger strike since November 26, refusing medical aid until Saturday, when he agreed to treatment following the Centre’s invitation for talks on February 14 to address farmers’ demands.
The high-level Central delegation meeting, led by Union agriculture ministry joint secretary Priya Ranjan, with Dallewal and representatives of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha. During the meeting, the delegation extended an invitation to resume talks on February 14 in Chandigarh.
After the announcement of the proposed meeting, Dallewal agreed to receive medical aid and subsequently underwent treatment with an intravenous drip. However, farmer leaders have made it clear that Dallewal will not end his indefinite fast until a legal guarantee for the minimum support price (MSP) for crops is provided.