Famers protest
Farmers call for 'All India Bandh' on Tuesday
New Delhi/IBNS: The farmers protesting on the outskirts of Delhi against the Centre's three contentious agricultural laws have called a nationwide shutdown on Tuesday.
The farmers said they will block all roads to the national capital, amid a stand-off with the Centre over the laws.
The farmers said they will also occupy all highway toll gates across the country and not allow the government to collect tolls as part of the Dec 8 strike.
They said that in their talks with the government they have asked for the repeal of the three laws.
Announcing for intensifying their protest, the farmers, who faced a brutal police crackdown in Haryana last week before being allowed to hold a peaceful demonstration on the outer fringes of Delhi, said they will take to burning effigies on Saturday.
The seven-hour meeting between the farmers and the Centre on Thursday failed to end the impasse over the farm laws, with farmers' representatives stating that they are sticking to their demands which includes the repeal of the contentious farm laws.
Union Minister Narendra Tomar, who led the negotiations, said the government "has no ego".
The next meeting will be held on Saturday.
"The government will consider giving more legal rights to farmers. MSP will continue, we have assured farmers of MSP," Union minister Narendra Tomar told reporters after the meeting.
"It would be good if the farmers can call off the protest," he had added.
During the meeting, the farmers' representatives made a presentation on how inadequate the three farm bills are, reports said.
At the lunch-time, farmers had even refused to have the food offered by the government.
"They offered us food, we denied and are sticking to our langar which we have brought with us," a farmer leader had said.
According to media reports, the government is firm on backing the laws but the farmers had also said that this meeting was the last chance for the government to find a solution warning of more agitation.
The farmers' bodies have been adamant on their demand that nothing but the repeal of the three contentious laws.
Legalising the Minimum Support Price "will not serve the purpose," they added.
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