Singhu Border: Farmers to intensify protest before Dec 14

New Delhi: Farmers have been protesting against the Central government's three agricultural reforms for the past 15 days. Several rounds of talks have been held between the leaders of farmer groups and union ministers, but have failed to reach a logical conclusion.

The sixth round was supposed to be held on Wednesday but got cancelled, however, both the sides maintained that they were open for dialogue.

The leaders have further rejected the Centre's proposal to amend the new reforms and added that they would intensify their protest by blocking the Jaipur-Delhi and the Delhi-Agra expressways by Saturday, and further escalate to a countrywide protest on December 14.

Union agricultural minister Narendra Singh Tomar met the Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the next course of action after the representatives of farmer groups rejected the Centre's proposal to amend the new farm reforms.

The Centre had offered to amend 7-8 issues, including a written assurance for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) policy.

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) had asked the Modi-led government to 'stop playing games' with the lives of the farmers and to withdraw the laws 'immediately and unconditionally'.

A former ally of the BJP, the SAD said that the Centre's proposals to amend the three laws were nothing but delaying and diversionary tactics and tricks.

Leaders of opposition parties met President Ramnath Kovind on Wednesday and had sought for the removal of the farm laws. The five-member delegation comprised of NCP Chief Sharad Pawar, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, CPI General Secretary D raja, CPI (M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury and TKS Elangovan of the DMK.

Rahul Gandhi said after the meet that the laws were passed without any discussion or conversation with the opposition parties or with the farmers.

Union minister of state for food and public distribution, Raosaheb Danve had claimed that the ongoing agitation against the reforms was backed by China and Pakistan.

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