Punjab cops looted from protest sites, say farmers

PATIALA: Farmer representative in Punjab accused police and the state's AAP govt of looting their belongings after their protest camps were demolished last week, while key protester Jagjit Singh Dallewal remained in critical condition as his hunger strike entered its 118th day Sunday.

"Tractors, trailers, even refrigerators, ACs, inverters, beds, and gas cylinders - everything that was under police supervision has now been found in the homes of AAP legislators' supporters," alleged BKU (Ekta Sidhupur) secretary Gurdeep Singh Chahal, demanding compensation for the losses.

He also alleged that stolen tractors and trolleys were being openly sold at cheap rates, with police complicit in their misappropriation.

Police have recovered six stolen tractors so far - three from Loh Simbly village, and one each from Suhron and Khandoli villages - according to DSP Ghanaur Harmanpreet Singh. Police have registered three cases related to the thefts.

Punjab police discreetly moved Dallewal, 70, who heads SKM (Non-Political), to a private hospital in Patiala under tight security Sunday. He stopped drinking water on March 19 evening to escalate his protest against what he calls govt oppression.

Dallewal has been on hunger strike since Nov 26 last year demanding legal guarantees for MSP and other farmer rights. Farmer representative have vowed to fight on. "Govt should not think this protest is over," said Chahal. "The fight for farmers' rights will go on until the last breath."