North News
New Delhi, January 15
The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Director of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to constitute an expert panel to assess the medical reports submitted by the Punjab government regarding farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal. Dallewal has been on a hunger strike since November 26 last year.
The Punjab Government assured the court that Dallewal’s health parameters were stable and improving. In the meantime, the farmers’ agitation demanding legal guarantees for Minimum Support Prices (MSP) has escalated. 111 farmers began a fast-unto-death at the Khanauri border in support of Dallewal today. The protests have grown more intense following the deaths of Resham Singh, 55, from Tarn Taran, who consumed poison on January 9 at the Shambhu border, and Ranjodh Singh, who died on December 18 at the same location.
The unrest stems from the demand for MSP guarantees and broader agricultural reforms. Despite multiple appeals, the government has not yet addressed the core concerns of the farmers, further fueling the protests.
