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Farmers' leaders on Tuesday, 1 December, participated in talks with the Centre at Delhi's Vigyan Bhawan over the protests against the new farm laws with Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Union Minister Piyush Goyal.
The Government reportedly told the farmers’ organisations to constitute a committee, along with government representatives and agricultural experts to discuss new agricultural laws.
The meeting has since concluded and the next round of talks will take place on 3 December.
Meanwhile, the Chilla border (Delhi-Noida Link Road) has been closed in wake of protesting farmers blocking Delhi to UP Link Road.
"On November 13, we had decided we will meet on December 3, but farmers are in a mood to protest," Union minister Narendra Tomar said.
"It is cold and there is coronavirus. Hence we invite the kisan union heads to Vigyan Bhawan on December 1 at 3 pm. We request you to leave the protest and find a solution through discussion," he added.
The Delhi Police have registered two separate FIRs in connection with the clash between the farmers and the police at Delhi’s borders, senior police officers said on Monday.
The police have listed rioting and damage to government property among the charges, as well as injuries sustained by at least three policemen, one of whom was allegedly attacked by a sword, NDTV reported.
The protest by farmers at Delhi borders continued to hamper traffic on Tuesday. The Delhi Traffic Police posted a tweet early on Tuesday morning which said that both Singhu and Tikri borders, where these farmers are protesting, are closed for any traffic movement.
Sukhvinder S Sabhran, Jt Secy, Punjab Kisan Sangarsh Committee in Delhi said on Tuesday that the farmers would not go for talks till all farmer groups had been called.
“There are more than 500 groups of farmers in the country, but the government has invited only 32 groups for talks. The rest haven't been called. We won't be going for talks till all groups are called,” Sabhran said, according to ANI.
Haryana khaps have unanimously decided to support the farmers' protest and will proceed towards Delhi on Tuesday.
"We request the centre to re-consider farm laws. Everyone has a right to express themselves," said Sombir Sangwan, Haryana Khap Pradhan and Dadri MLA, according to ANI.
Protesting farmers have called a meeting later today to take a decision on the Centre's offer to hold talks.
"We will hold a meeting today to take a decision whether we should accept the Centre's offer or not," Baljeet Singh Mahal, a farmer leader, said.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will hold the scheduled talks today with the farmers, NDTV reported, quoting sources. The report also said that he will meet Home Minister Amit Shah and Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar at BJP chief JP Nadda's house on Tuesday morning ahead of the discussions.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday morning arrived at the residence of BJP President JP Nadda, to hold a meeting over the ongoing farmers protest, reports ANI.
Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar had also reached Nadda’s residence for the meeting.
Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Tuesday told ANI that farmer leaders have been invited for talks today at 3 pm, adding that the government is always ready for talks.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday again took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi without taking his name, saying he needs to shun arrogance and give the rights to the protesting farmers.
"Farmers are protesting on the streets and a 'lie' is giving speeches on television. We all are indebted to the farmers for their hard work. And we can repay their debt by giving them justice and their rights, not by disrespecting them or by hitting them with lathis or tear-gas shells. Wake up, get down from a position of arrogance and think, and give the farmers their rights," Gandhi tweeted.
Independent MLA Sombir Sangwan has withdrawn his support from the Khattar led-Harayana government.
"In light of the atrocities committed on the farmers, I hereby withdraw my support to the current government," he said on Tuesday, according to ANI.
After holding a meeting to decide on the Centre’s invitation, farmers have reportedly said they will attend the talks.
"The government has invited us without preconditions and we're going for the talks. About 35 representatives will go, and we will demand the laws be repealed. We will also demand law on MSP. If the government doesn't agree, the protests will continue," Jagjit Singh Dallewal of the Bharatiya Kisan Union said, according to NDTV.
Bhim Army Chief Chandrashekhar Azad has joined the farmers' protest at the Ghazipur-Ghaziabad (Delhi-UP) border, ANI reports.
Farmer leaders reach Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi where Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has called them for talks.
“We are daughters of farmers, we'll go to support farmers' protest today,” said Bilkis Dadi of Shaheen Bagh.
Bharatiya Janata Party Member of Parliament Som Parkash, Union Minister Piyush Goyal along with himself will be will be present in the meeting with the protesting farmers, informed Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Agriculture Minister.
“The options which we will offer to them will depend on the exact demands which they present,” Narendra Singh Tomar said, according to ANI.
Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has arrived at Vigyan Bhawan for meeting with farmers' leaders, reported ANI.
Union Ministers Narendra Singh Tomar and Piyush Goyal hold meeting with farmers' leaders at Vigyan Bhawan, reported ANI. Around 30 of the farmers present at the meeting are reportedly from Punjab.
Naresh Tikait, President BKU at Ghazipur-Ghaziabad (Delhi-UP) border, reportedly told ANI that the government has called the Punjab delegation for a meeting at 3 pm.
He also reportedly informed that latter, that the government will hold a meeting with delegations from Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Delhi at 7pm on Tuesday, 1 December.
“There should be a proper dialogue and Centre should accept all demands proposed by farmers as they are genuine,” Delhi Cabinet Minister Kailash Gehlot said, during a visit to Burari protest site.
Delhi Police have detained Shaheen Bagh activist Bilkis ‘Dadi’, who had reached Singhu border (Delhi-Haryana border) to join farmers' protest, reported ANI.
Government is reportedly giving a detailed presentation to the farmers' leaders on Minimum Support Price (MSP) and Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) Act during their talks, reported ANI, on Tuesday, 1 December.
The meeting is presently underway at Delhi’s Vigyan Bhawan.
The Government reportedly told the farmers’ organisations to constitute a committee, along with government representatives and agricultural experts to discuss new agricultural laws.
"You give names of 4-5 people from your organisations and constitute a committee in which there'll be representatives from govt as well as agricultural experts to discuss new agricultural laws", the Government said according to ANI.
Chilla border (Delhi-Noida Link Road) has been closed in wake of protesting farmers blocking Delhi to UP Link Road, reported ANI.
Delhi Traffic Police has further reportedly issued an advisory requesting commuters travelling to Noida to take a U-turn from Ghazipur/Akshardham flyover and take Sarai Kale Khan route..
Union Minister VK Singh, on Monday, 1 December alleged that it is not the farmers who have a problem with the farm laws.
“Many of the people in pictures do not appear to be farmers. What is in the interest of farmers has been done,” VK Singh said, according to ANI.
“ It's not the farmers who have a problem with this (farm laws), but others. Besides opposition, people who get commission are behind it (protest
Meeting between the farmer leaders and the government has concluded, reported ANI.
Another round of talks will be held on 3 December
The farmers’ meeting for Tuesday, 1 December, with the NDA government has concluded.
Speaking after the meeting, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, according to ANI, said that even though the government wanted small groups to be constituted, farmer leaders wanted talks with everyone.
Tomar also appealed to the farmers to suspend their protests and come for the talks.
“However, this decision depends on farmers' unions and farmers.” said the Agriculture Minister.
Chanda Singh, Member of Farmers' Delegation who met Union Agriculture Minister in Delhi, on Tuesday, 1 December, reportedly told ANI that the farmers’ movement will continue.
Prem Singh Bhangu, President of All India Kisan Federation, reportedly told ANI, that in the next meeting they will convince the government that “no clause of Farm law is pro-farmer.”
Due to Kisan agitation in Punjab, train movement has been affected. Owint to this, a few trains have been diverted and certain trains have been short terminated and accordingly short originated, reported ANI, citing CPRO, Western Railway
Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, informed on Tuesday, 1 December, that during their interaction with the farmers, the Government suggested to the representatives of Farmer unions to “identify specific issues related to Farm Reform Acts and share with Government on 2 December for consideration.”
He further said that their meeting with Farmers’ unions representatives was meaningful.
Indian Overseas Congress Germany has decided to donate Rs 1 crore for the farmers, according to ANI.
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