Protesting farmers at Delhi-Ghazipur border on Friday have warned that they will amplify the protest by blocking more roads and choking the supply of food products to the national capital if the discussion between them and the Central government fails to yield results on Saturday.
After the fourth round of discussion between the farmer’s representatives and the Union government did not reach any conclusion on Thursday at Vigyan Bhawan, farmers said they will not stop protesting until the laws are repealed.
Another round of discussion is slated for Saturday at 2 p.m.
Rakesh Tikait, Spokesperson of Bharat Kisan Union, who is spearheading the protest at the border point said, "Farmers want the government to take back the laws and make a fresh draft. Currently, it is for corporates. The law should be for the farmers and they must be consulted. Either the government will agree to our requests tomorrow or we will keep protesting. More farmers are ready to come here."
We have given a call for Bharat Bandh on December 8. Yesterday, we told the government that the farm laws should be withdrawn. On 5 Dec, effigies of PM Modi will be burnt across the country: Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU-Lakhowal) General Secretary, HS Lakhowal at Singhu Border
Another senior member of the union said that if the demands are not met, farmers will stay put to even witness the January 26 parade and run their tractors on the roads of the national capital.
President of Tarai Kisan Sangathan Tejinder Singh Virk said resonated the same sentiment, "If the government does not accept our demands tomorrow, we will choke the supply of milk, vegetables and fruits going to the national capital. Blocking the roads was a mere first step. We will decide on the next step tomorrow."
Today marks the 9th day of farmers protests at Delhi-Haryana and Delhi-Uttar Pradesh borders. Thousands of farmers have camped around the Singhu border, while several other groups have blocked entry at the Delhi-Haryana border in Tikri, the Delhi-UP Ghazipur border and the Delhi-UP Chilla border.
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Farmers are demanding to scrap the three farm laws, expressing their apprehensions that the new system would destroy the existing minimum support price system and corporates will benefit from it. Though the Center has assured the farmers that the laws will bring improvement in the agricultural sector.
The new farm laws are - The Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation); The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance; and the Farm Services and The Essential Commodities (Amendment).