The stalemate between the Punjab Government and the supporters of Sikh activist Surat Singh Khalsa over the release of “political prisoners” continued on Wednesday too. On the other hand, the 80-year-old activist was forcibly given treatment after his health deteriorated on Wednesday morning.
Khalsa, on fast-unto-death since January 16 demanding the release of Sikh prisoners languishing in jails across the country despite completing their sentences, reportedly fainted in the morning. The octogenarian Sikh activist has also given up water in protest since Monday.
The doctors at ludhiana Civil Hospital decided to forcibly began his treatment, and put him on intravenous drip. It has been learnt that his blood samples were also collected for carrying out some investigations.
The decision to start treatment was taken by a team, comprising Deputy Commissioner Rajat Aggarwal, Jagroan Superintendent of Police Ravcharan Brar and Civil Surgeon Renu Chatwal.
Khalsa’s daughter claimed that her father tried to resist treatment when he regained consciousness later in the day.
As soon as news of Khalsa’s deteriorating health spread, the supporters began gathering in large numbers outside the emergency ward of the civil hospital causing chaos at the hospital and prompting police to beef up the security.