The stand-off with the Centre over farm laws entered the 18th day on Sunday, 13 December after the farmer leaders on Saturday announced that they will unitedly observe a fast today at the Singhu border.
The leaders also said that they will protest peacefully throughout the demonstration and not allow the Centre to derail their movement.
The announcement by the leaders came hours after PM Modi said that his government is committed to protecting the interest of farmers through its policies and intentions, even as the farmers called to intensify protests by blocking the Delhi-Jaipur highway.
Meanwhile, a delegation of 29 pro-reforms farmers met Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar to extend their support to the farm laws and threatened to stage a protest if those are repealed.
- The Congress on Saturday slammed PM Modi and said that the farmers of the country need more than just tall promises
- Shiromani Akali Dal Chief Sukhbir Singh Badal on Saturday said that the Centre trying to stifle voices is unfortunate
- Earlier on Friday, the Bharatiya Kisan Union moved the Supreme Court against the three contentious farm laws
- Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar appealed to protesting farmers to be vigilant and not provide their platform to anti-social elements
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Chilla and Ghazipur Borders Closed for Traffic
Delhi Traffic Police on Saturday said that Chilla and Ghazipur borders are closed for traffic from Noida and Ghaziabad to Delhi due to farmers protests. People are advised to take an alternate route for coming to Delhi via Anand Vihar, DND, Apsara and Bhopra borders.
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Meet Farmer Leaders
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met leaders of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Bhanu) on Saturday in Delhi.
"Protest Needs to be Freed From Maoists and Naxals": Piyush Goyal
Union Min Piyush Goyal said that the Centre is ready to hold discussions with the farmers 24 hours a day. “If the protest is freed from Maoists and Naxals, then our farmers will definitely understand that laws are in their and the country's interest,” he added.
“Eighteen opposition parties tried to do a bandh but failed miserably. I have confidence in our farmers that they will get out of the influence of these Maoists and Naxalites, come and discuss with us and find solutions to their concerns,” Goyal said.
Agriculture Minister Tomar Meets Farm Leaders from Haryana
Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar held a meeting with farmers' leaders from Haryana at Vigyan Bhawan.
After the meeting, Tomar said that “progressive farmer leaders from Haryana have submitted a memorandum with their signatures supporting the three farm laws. They also shared their experiences on how these laws are benefitting them.”
The pro-reforms farmer groups also threatened to start a protest if new laws repealed