Pandher urges SKM to join hands with farmers protesting on Punjab-Haryana border

New Delhi: The protesting Punjab farmers' unions are likely to get together under one umbrella body Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) to intensify their protest even as the Punjab Police chief and a senior officer of the Union Home Ministry met farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal on Sunday and enquired about his health.

Punjab farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher on Sunday said he has written to the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) to join hands with the farmers protesting at Punjab-Haryana border points over their various demands, including a legal guarantee on the MSP for crops.

His statement came days after SKM leader Rakesh Tikait called for unity of farmers for a "joint fight" to press the Centre to accept their demands.

Farmers under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha are spearheading the 'Delhi Chalo march' and have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 after their march to Delhi was stopped by security forces.

A "jatha" (group) of 101 farmers made three attempts to enter Delhi on foot on December 6, December 8 and again on December 14. They were not allowed to proceed by security personnel in Haryana.

However, the SKM, which had spearheaded the 2020 farmers' stir against the now-repealed farm laws, was not part of the 'Delhi Chalo' march call.

Separately, Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav and Director in the Ministry of Home Affairs Mayank Mishra met Dallewal at the Khanauri border point and heard his demands.

Their visit came two days after the Supreme Court directed the Centre and Punjab government representatives to meet Dallewal immediately. The top court had further directed that the farmer leader be provided medical help and persuaded him to break his indefinite fast, saying his life was precious.

The 70-year-old Dallewal, a cancer patient, has been on a fast-unto-death at the Khanauri border point between Punjab and Haryana since November 26 to press the Centre to accept the agitating farmers' demands, including a legal guarantee of MSP on crops.

Speaking to reporters after meeting Dallewal, Yadav said, "We came here to enquire about his health. I have with me the Government of India's representative Mayank Mishra who was specially sent here."

Mishra said, "We have heard whatever his (Dallewal) demands are."

DGP Yadav said, "We have told Dallewal that his way of leading a peaceful agitation has been appreciated everywhere and the government has also taken cognisance of it."