Farmers protest updates: Farmers’ groups accept invitation to talks on December 30

Farmers protest LIVE updates: The Centre has invited the farmers for the sixth round of talks at 2 pm on December 30.

Farmers’ agitation on the outskirts of Delhi against the three contentious agricultural laws entered day 34 on Tuesday, on a day when the sixth round of talks between the government and the farm unions were expected to take place. However, on Monday, the government wrote to the farmers, inviting them for talks at 2 pm on December 30. On Saturday, the unions had proposed that the sixth round of talks take place at 11 am on December 29, in response to the government’s proposal to hold dialogue at a date and time of the unions’ choosing. The farmers, though, had rejected the initial proposal in this regard.

Protesting farmers raise slogans at Delhi-UP border protest site against new farm laws, in New Delhi, India, on Monday, December 28, 2020. (Photo by Sakib Ali /Hindustan Times)

Also on Monday, Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh directed the police to take action after several towers of Reliance Jio were vandalised allegedly by farmers protesting against the farm laws. Earlier in the day, in what was seen as yet another outreach by the Centre towards the farmers, prime minister Narendra Modi virtually flagged off the 100th service of the Kisan Rail, which will run between Sangola in Maharashtra and West Bengal’s Shalimar. Congress’ Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, on the 136th foundation day celebrations of the party, said that it was a “sin” that the government was using for the farmers the kind of words it has, adding that it should reach out to the farmers and repeal the laws. In West Bengal, chief minister Mamata Banerjee, too, demanded that the “draconian” laws be taken back and expressed solidarity with the farmers.

Here are the updates from day 34 of the anti-farm law protests:

Union ministers Narendra Tomar, Piyush Goyal meets with Amit Shah ahead of December 30 meeting

Ahead of the December 30 meeting with the farmers organizations, agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar and railways minister Piyush Goyal met with home minister Amit Shah in Delhi. Click here to read more

Farmers’ organisations accept invitation to talks on December 30, stays firm on demands

Farmers’s organizations have written to the secretary of Agriculture ministry accepting the invite to hold talks at 2pm on December 30. They have also demanded that the talks include repealing the farm laws and legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP), reports ANI.

AAP announces will provide free wifi to protesting farmers

“Aam Aadmi Party will provide wifi for farmers at protest sites. First hotspot to be activated in 24-48 hours,” announces party MLA Raghav Chadha.

If the opposition was strong, wouldn’t have to agitate: BKU’s Rakesh Tikait

“If the Opposition were strong, what was the need for farmers to launch the agitation,” says Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) spokesperson Rakesh Tikait.

Farm unions hold march towards Bihar governor’s residence

Members of Akhil Bharatiya Kisan Sangharsh Samanvay Samiti and other Left organisations hold protest march to the Bihar governor’s House over Centre’s three farm laws, in Patna.

Members of farm unions, other left organisations march in protest to Governor’s House in Patna

Members of Akhil Bharatiya Kisan Sangharsh Samanvay Samiti and other Left organisations hold protest march to the Governor’s House in Patna over Centre’s three farm laws, reports ANI.

Power towards more than 1,500 mobile phone towers disrupted in Punjab

CM Captain Amarinder Singh has directed the police to take action after protesting farmers allegedly vandalised or disrupted power supply to more than 1,500 mobile phone towers in the state.

Situation at blocked Delhi borders unchanged

Traffic moving from Delhi to Noida at Chilla border is smooth but the other carriageway remains blocked. Delhi-Meerut expressway towards Delhi open but blocked from the other side. Singhu and Tikri borders remain completely closed.

Social activist Anna Hazare says will launch agitation in January 2021

Social activist Anna Hazare says will launch protest in Delhi in January if his demands concerning farmers are not fulfilled “in time.”

No talks between govt-farm unions today, postponed to Wednesday

The sixth round of talks between the government and the farm unions will take place on December 30, after the Centre on Monday sent a letter to the unions in this regard. On Saturday, responding to the government’s second proposal to hold talks at a time and date of the farmers’ choosing, the unions had suggested that the dialogue take place at 11 am on December 29.