Farmers' Protest LIVE Updates: Farmers to Hold Talks with Centre Today as Stir Continues for 6th Day, Some Unions May Skip Meet; Tikri, Singhu Borders Still Shut

Protesting Farmers Vow 'Decisive Battle'; PM Targets Opposition as Stir Against Agri Laws Intensifies | Farmers have come to Delhi for a decisive battle and will continue their stir against the new agri-marketing laws, their leaders asserted on Monday, unmoved by the appeals of the Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi who defended the legislation and accused the opposition of playing tricks on farmers again through misinformation. The opposition parties too stepped up pressure, asking the Centre to "respect the democratic struggle" of the farmers and repeal the laws.

The Centre on invited agitating farmer unions for talks on December 1, two days ahead of a scheduled meeting, as their stir against the new agri-marketing laws appeared to intensify despite a strong defence of the legislation by the government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi who accused the opposition of playing tricks on farmers again through misinformation.

There are more than 500 groups of farmers in the country, but the Govt has invited only 32 groups for talks. The rest haven't been called by the govt. We won't be going for talks till all groups are called: Sukhvinder S Sabhran, Jt Secy, Punjab Kisan Sangarsh Committee in Delhi pic.twitter.com/jYGQlEMKSk

— ANI (@ANI) December 1, 2020

Kumaraswamy Asks Centre to Hold Talks with Agitating Farmers | Former Karnataka Chief Minister and JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy asked the Centre to hold talks with protesting farmers at the borders of Delhi to remove misgivings they have on the new agri-marketing laws. "The Farmers protest in Delhi against the Centre's new agricultural legislation has entered the fifth day.

'Barred entry of Illegal People' Among Protesting Farmers to Avoid Clash, Says BKU Leader | Bhartiya Kisan Union spokesperson Rakesh Tikait said on Monday that they have "barred entry of illegal people" among the protesting farmers to avoid any clash. He, however, said police and other paramilitary personnel can visit their gathering. Tikait also said the protesting farmers at Ghazipur border have been in touch with the Centre and would join talks if there are any. "They (police) have imposed Section 144 so we have imposed section 288 to block entry of any illegal persons and those who are used to giving speeches. This will save us from any clash," Tikait told reporters.

Delhi Police Registers FIR Over Clash Between Farmers, Security Forces at Singhu Border | The Delhi Police has registered an FIR against unidentified people in connection with a clash between farmers and security personnel at the Singhu border last week, officials said.  The FIR has been registered at Alipur police station, they added. On Friday, in view of the protests organised by different farmer unions against the recently passed three agricultural laws, security personnel were deployed at Singhu border to maintain law and order, police said.

MP MLA Dr Sunilam said if the government at any point decides to use force against farmers, it could lead to a situation that the government may not be able to control.

Centre Invites Protesting Farmers for Next Round of Talks Today | Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said protesting farmers have been invited for talks again on Tuesday. It had earlier been decided that the next round of discussion would take place on December 3, but they have been moved forward due to the relentless agitation, the coronavirus pandemic and the cold weather, he said. Tomar's outreach came on a day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused opposition parties of playing tricks against the farmers, adding that apprehensions and protests are being whipped up by those opposing the Acts.

SFI Takes Out Rally in Kolkata in Solidarity with Farmers Protesting Central Agri Laws | Hundreds of activists of the Students Federation of India, a left wing students union, took out a rally in Kolkata in solidarity with farmers holding protests in the national capital's borders against the Central farm reform laws.  The participants of the rally, from different colleges and universities in the city and elsewhere, raised slogans against the new farm laws and covered a distance of 2 kms Subodh Mallick Square to Esplanade in central Kolkata.