Farmer Leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal Secretly Shifted to Patiala Hospital after Detention
Dallewal's hunger strike entered its 118th day on Sunday.
Farmer Leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal Secretly Shifted to Patiala Hospital after Detention, latest news: Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who was detained by the police on March 19, has been confidentially shifted to a private hospital in Patiala.
Earlier, after his detention, he was reportedly kept under tight security at the PWD rest house in Jalandhar Cantonment.
According to a report published in The Tribune, the government decided late on Saturday evening to shift Dallewal to a private hospital in Patiala.
It is also reported that the administrative affairs of this hospital are managed by a former Punjab Police officer, who took charge after his retirement. Additionally, Dallewal's relocation to Patiala, which was the epicenter of the farmers' agitation, has come as a surprise.
Dallewal's hunger strike entered its 118th day on Sunday, and his transfer to a private hospital has also surprised union members, who are now confident that they can reach their leader.
On Sunday, Dallewal's hunger strike reached its 118th day, and his relocation to a private hospital has taken union members by surprise, boosting their confidence that they will be able to access their leader.
On March 19, 2025, Punjab Police detained Jagjit Singh Dallewal and other farmer leaders, including Sarwan Singh Pandher, in Mohali. They were on their way to protest sites at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders after holding discussions with central officials in Chandigarh.
Following their detention, Punjab Police cleared the Shambhu border, dismantling temporary structures set up by protesting farmers. This led to clashes between farmers and security forces.
Dallewal was reportedly initially taken to the Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Jalandhar around 2 AM on March 20. Later, he was moved to another hospital under heavy security.
A habeas corpus petition was filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, challenging Dallewal's alleged illegal detention. The court has since sought a response from the Punjab government regarding his custody.
As of March 23, 2025, the Shambhu border remains open to traffic, following the removal of protest sites on March 19. This move has been welcomed by the industrial sector, which had been negatively impacted by the prolonged blockade.
However, tensions have escalated once again after the crackdown. Farmer unions have called for statewide protests on March 23 and 24, demanding the immediate release of detained farmers and compensation for damages caused during the clearance operation.