Farmers protest updates: No breakthrough in talks with government, next round on Dec 5

Farmers protest updates: The over seven-hour long talks between the representatives of the farmers` bodies and the Union government ended without any breakthrough on Thursday and the next round of talks has been scheduled for December 5. As per sources, the farmers have given their suggestions to the government in writing.

Earlier in the day, a group of more than 34 farmer leaders put out a five-point set of demands that seeks to frame a specific law on minimum support price (MSP) and end the punishment provision for stubble burning, during the fourth round of talks with the Central government on Thursday.

In the written five-point set of demands, one of the key demands is repealing the three contentious farm laws passed in September during the Monsoon Session of the Parliament. It also raised objections about the upcoming Electricity (Amendment) Act, 2020.

The farmers emphasised that the provision to register a case for stubble burning should be ended, and asked why the government wasn`t ready to give them "written assurance" on MSP despite its earlier statements that MSP will continue.

The farmers` union representatives emphasised that a new law on MSP be framed in a special session of Parliament, demanding that it must guarantee them MSP, not just now, but in the future as well.

The farmer leaders said: "Let us assume that MSP will continue but the procurement would stop. The MSP will have no meaning then."

The farmers` union representatives said that the government said the three farm laws were brought in keeping the interests of the farmers in mind. However, they had never kept these in mind. The farmers feel the farm laws have been passed to benefit big businesses and corporate houses.

Closed Delhi-Haryana and Delhi-UP borders leave commuters stranded

As the farmers agitation entered its eight day on Thursday with farmers and the government holding talks, commuters were left stranded as the Delhi Traffic police decided to close multiple entry-points towards Delhi from Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.

With massive build up of farmers, the Singhu, Lampur, Auchandi, Safiabad, Piao Maniyari, and Saboli borders were closed. NH-44 is also closed on both sides. The Tikri, Jharoda Borders were also closed for any traffic movement on Thursday.

However, the Badusarai border is open only for Light Motor Vehicles like cars and two wheelers. The Jhatikara Border is open only for two wheeler traffic.

"Please take alternate routes via NH-8/Bhopra /Apsara border /Peripheral expressway.Traffic has been diverted from Mukarba & GTK Road. Avoid Outer Ring Road , GTK Road, NH-44," Delhi Traffic police tweeted.

"Meanwhile the available open borders to Haryana are Dhansa, Daurala, Kapashera, Rajokri NH 8, Bijwasan/Bajghera, Palam Vihar and Dundahera Borders," said a senior Traffic police officer.

One carriageway of NH 24 for UP to Delhi is closed for traffic at Ghazipur border. Likewise the carriageway from Noida to Delhi at Chilla border is closed for traffic .

"People may use Apsara border on GT Road, the Bhopura border on Wazirabad road and DND flyover for Delhi from UP side," the Delhi Traffic police advised.

Massive traffic snarls were seen at Delhi-Noida border and Delhi-Ghaziabad border as many commuetrs were caught unaware on Thursday. The Delhi Traffic Police closed the NH-9 and NH-24 from Ghaziabad to Delhi routes on Thursday morning to stop more farmers joining the agitation and entering Delhi from these routes.

Many small routes were also closed by Delhi Police so that more protesters are not able to sneak into the capital.

"I have to postpone my visit to Delhi from Aligarh as there was reports of massive traffic jams, some of my known are also caught up in the serpentine jams from Uttar Pradesh to Delhi," said Akmal Mirza, a Delhi resident.

The Ghaziabad to Delhi traffic was blocked at Delhi-Meerut Expressway, exceptions were being made for medical emergencies by the protesters.

The Delhi Traffic police also publicised its telephone numbers on social media for commuters to avoid being caught in traffic snarls.

"You are requested to contact Delhi Traffic Police Helpline at 25844444 or 1095 so that we can assist you better," the Delhi Traffic police tweeted.

The story has been taken from a news agency