Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal has ended his indefinite hunger strike, the Punjab government informed the Supreme Court on Friday. The top court, acknowledging Dallewal as a sincere leader without political motives, noted that certain groups were against a resolution to the farmers’ demands.
Punjab’s advocate general reported that the state successfully dispersed protests at the Khanauri and Shambhu borders, reopening all previously blocked roads and highways. The Supreme Court, while appreciating these efforts, directed the Punjab and Haryana governments to submit status reports on the current situation. A high-powered committee, led by a former high court judge, was also asked to provide a supplementary report on the farmers’ concerns.
Meanwhile, contempt proceedings against Punjab’s chief secretary and Director General of Police were dropped after they complied with the court’s directive to provide medical aid to Dallewal.
The protests, led by SKM and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, had been ongoing at the Punjab-Haryana borders since February 2023 after their march to Delhi was halted. On March 19, Punjab Police cleared the protest sites, dismantling temporary structures and removing vehicles. The Supreme Court continues to oversee developments related to the farmers’ demands.
