Farm activists at the Khanauri border point have increased security around the protest site, fearing that the Punjab government might once again try to whisk away the fasting veteran farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal and get him hospitalised.

Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal Saturday said that he has been fasting for past over a month of his own free will and that there was a “misconception” that he has been “kept hostage” at the Khanauri protest site,

The Supreme Court criticized farmer leaders for preventing Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s hospitalization amid his fast-unto-death. The court is addressing a contempt petition against Punjab officials for failing to comply with a prior order.

The top court has warned that it would take strict action against the state chief secretary and DGP if its directions are not followed

The Supreme Court has given the Punjab government until December 31 to convince farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, on a month-long hunger strike, to move to a hospital. The court criticized the state's failure to provide medical aid and suggested those blocking assistance could be abetting suicide.

Pulling up Punjab Government for not complying with its orders, SC gives it 2 days time to persuade Dallewal to be shifted to a make-shift hospital near the protest site.

Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, two key farmers outfit, had earlier given a call for a Punjab bandh on December 30.