A group of 121 farmers, who had been on a hunger strike at the Khanauri protest site in support of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, ended their fast on Sunday after he agreed to take medical aid.
Dallewal (70) had been on a fast-unto-death since November 26 but agreed to accept medical help on Saturday after the Centre invited him for talks on February 14 to discuss farmers' demands.
As Dallewal’s health worsened and the government did not meet their demands, 111 farmers joined him on January 15 in a fast-unto-death at the Haryana side of the border near Khanauri. On January 17, 10 more farmers from Haryana joined the protest.
The 121 farmers ended their fast by drinking juice in front of Deputy Inspector General of Police Mandeep Singh Sidhu and Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police Nanak Singh.
On Saturday, a high-level team from the Central government, led by Union Agriculture Ministry Joint Secretary Priya Ranjan, met Dallewal and other farmer leaders. They invited them for talks on February 14 in Chandigarh.
After hearing about the meeting, Dallewal agreed to take medical assistance, and he was given an intravenous drip.
However, farmer leaders have stated that Dallewal will not end his fast until there is a legal guarantee for the minimum support price for crops.
Also Read: Centre invites protesting farmers for talks in Chandigarh on Feb 14
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