3,000 visit health check-up posts

Tribune News Service
Jhajjar, December 12

Around 3,000 farmers protesting against the three farm laws at the Tikri-Bahadurgarh border visit the Bahadurgarh civil hospital and health check-up posts at border every day, with one-third of them complaining about cold, cough, sore throat, body ache and fever.

The Covid-like symptoms notwithstanding, farmers have refused to undergo the test.

So far, six protesters have lost their lives during the agitation. Reason: cardiac arrest and ailments

Thousands of farmers have been camping on the 10-km stretch between the Jakhoda bypass and the Tikri border since November 27.

"One-third of farmers being examined at the civil hospital and health check-up posts have complained cold, cough, body ache and fever. Doctors have recommended them Covid test, but they are unwilling to undergo the test. Even the Bahadurgarh SDM tried to convince them, but they refused categorically," said Dr Sanjay Dahiya, Civil Surgeon, Jhajjar.

He added the Covid test was not conducted on the six persons who died during the agitation. "As per the ICMR guidelines, the test will be conducted only on that person who had the symptoms."

When a farmer leader was asked about the reluctance of protesters to undergo the Covid test, he said, "Farmers have come to Delhi to protest against the farm laws and not to get themselves tested for Covid. If some farmers test positive, the Centre will have a reason to isolate them and that will weaken the agitation. It is using Covid as a pretext to disperse us."

from The Tribune https://ift.tt/3oKGqaF