Farmers beef up security at Khanauri border after SC’s latest instructions

Chandigarh, December 29: Farmer activists at the Khanauri border point have beefed up security around the protest site, fearing that the Punjab government may once again try to ward off veteran fasting farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal and to have him hospitalized.

The moves follow the Supreme Court order that gave the Punjab government time until December 31 to persuade Dallewal, who has been fasting for over a month, to be hospitalized.

The 67-year-old has been on hunger strike since November 26 to put pressure on the Center to accept farmers’ demands, including a legal guarantee of a minimum support price (MSP).

The apex court on Saturday granted the state government additional time to comply with its December 20 order and directed the Center to provide logistical support if necessary.

The Punjab government, while acknowledging the Court’s concerns, maintained that it was in a difficult position.

“The entire protest site is under siege by farmers who refuse to allow it to be moved. Any use of force can lead to collateral damage, both for farmers and the police,” Punjab Advocate General Gurminder Singh argued in the court.

Farmers have been holding 24/7 vigils at the site and restricted access to Dallewal has become a major challenge for the police.

The Supreme Court on Saturday castigated the Punjab government for its failure to hospitalize Dallewal, who has been on hunger strike for over a month, despite repeated medical advice, observing that it was not just a “failure of public order”. machines” but also an “incitement to suicide”.

Marking the second consecutive day the state faced the court’s wrath for failing to comply with repeated orders to ensure Dallewal’s hospitalization, the top court also lashed out at those obstructing his hospitalization, saying that the Supreme Court would not give in to pressure and would not tolerate “a violent face”. » of the peasant movement.

Convening a special session during the vacation, Justices Surya Kant and Sudhanshu Dhulia condemned the state’s handling of the situation, questioning why it allowed the creation of a “virtual fort” around the protest site, adding that the state government appeared to support the decision. agitation which could lead to the death of Dallewal.

The matter was adjourned to December 31 as the court warned that it would take strict action against state chief secretary KAP Sinha and DGP Gaurav Yadav if its instructions regarding Dallewal’s hospitalization were not followed. followed.

The Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government was slammed by the Supreme Court on Saturday for the second consecutive day, even as the state chief secretary and the director general of police (DGP) cited “fear of resistance and violence” and “collateral damage” as reasons why Dallewal could not be transferred to hospital.

The two police officers, who are facing contempt proceedings for non-compliance with the court’s December 20 order regarding Dallewal’s hospitalization, remained virtually present during the court proceedings, in accordance with the directive of the judiciary on Saturday.

Punjab Advocate General Gurminder Singh added that the state was “powerless” to comply with the court order demanding Dallewal’s transfer to hospital.

Singh informed the court that several medical boards were monitoring Dallewal’s health condition and senior ministers and Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan had tried to persuade him to seek medical help.

However, Dallewal and several farmer groups continued to resist the hospitalization, citing their demands for MSP guarantees and other land reforms.

Reading out the affidavit submitted by the chief secretary and the DGP, the attorney general admitted that several groups of farmers had surrounded the protest site, preventing the authorities from shifting Dallewal to a hospital.

“Who allowed this situation to continue? Who allowed a virtual fort to be created around him? Is this not a failure of the law enforcement apparatus? » asked the bench pointedly.

“It’s not a question of demands or agitation. Preventing a seriously ill person from receiving medical treatment is unacceptable and unheard of. This is a criminal offense and nothing less than incitement to suicide,” the text adds.

The bench further observed that the Punjab government’s actions suggested tacit support for the protesters preventing Dallewal’s hospitalization.

“Your affidavit gives the impression that the state supports him in continuing his fast there. Let us be very clear: the farmers’ agitation is a separate issue and we have repeatedly stated in our orders that their demands will be looked into. But allowing a man’s life to be endangered in this manner constitutes a dereliction of his constitutional duty,” the bench remarked.

The court expressed dismay that the state was failing to strike a balance between maintaining public order and protecting human life. Addressing the AG and senior officials present, the bench said, “Your officers have seen Punjab’s history of overcoming significant challenges. Punjab has a glorious history of handling difficult situations in the past.

While Singh said the farmers could agree to Dallewal’s hospitalization if “conciliation” was offered to them, the court responded: “It is becoming clear that the government speaks with its voice, but we are a constitutional court and we do not we won’t move. If someone wants to put pressure on us or set a precondition, we won’t accept it… And you don’t have to be their spokesperson. We have already offered them our platform.

The court granted the Punjab government additional time to comply with its December 20 order. He also directed the Center to provide logistical support upon request.

“We stand with the people of Punjab and the farming community. Our orders are not contradictory but are intended to protect the life of one of the state’s greatest agricultural leaders,” the court said.

The matter was adjourned to December 31 as the court warned that it would take strict action against the state chief secretary and the DGP if its instructions regarding Dallewal’s hospitalization were not followed.

The court also questioned the motives of those who obstructed Dallewal’s hospitalization, calling their actions detrimental to the farming community.

“There seems to be peer pressure. What kind of farmer leaders want Dallewal dead? We do not want to comment on the good faith of these leaders who want him to die like this. He seems to be under pressure or that kind of leader. If Dallewal is under peer pressure, what does that say about the good faith of these so-called leaders? » asked the bench.

Highlighting the urgency of the situation, the court observed: “Dallewal can continue his fast in a hospital where his vital signs can be taken care of. There is no need for him to break his fast, but he cannot endanger his life in this way. »

He told senior officers that they needed to convey to those at the protest site that those preventing Dallewal’s hospitalization want to deprive the farming community of one of its highest leaders.

During the previous hearings on December 18 and 20, the court had warned that “the entire state apparatus would be held responsible” if any harm happened to Dallewal.

Dallewal’s hunger strike, which began on November 26, is part of a broader agitation demanding systemic agricultural reforms and legal safeguards for the MSP. The protests under the banners of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha caused major disruptions in Punjab and Haryana.

Despite mediation efforts by a Supreme Court-appointed committee, the impasse persists.

The committee’s report highlighted critical agrarian challenges, including unsustainable farming practices and growing indebtedness of farmers, calling for rapid government intervention.

–IANS