As SC deadline approaches, Dallewal continues his fast

Apex court had given Punjab time till Dec 31 to convince the farmer leader to seek medical aid

- HT Correspondent

PATIALA: With less than 48 hours left in the December 31 deadline for the Punjab government to comply with the Supreme Court's directive to persuade farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, whose indefinite hunger strike entered its 34th day on Sunday, to accept medical aid, no breakthrough could be achieved till late in the night despite intensified efforts by the state government.

A delegation, led by the retired additional director general of police (ADGP) Jaskaran Singh, met Dallewal, 67, on Sunday evening, in an attempt to convince the fasting leader. But the efforts proved unsuccessful. Later, the retired cop met him alone but to no avail.

A senior police officer revealed, "We can only request him (Dallewal) to understand the gravity of the situation. Despite repeated attempts, we haven't been able to make any breakthrough so far."

Farmer leader Sukhjeet Singh said the Punjab government officials had held meetings with Dallewal twice and come up with proposals, but the latter had rejected it.