Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday held talks with farmers, a day ahead of the government's sixth round of scheduled negotiations to end the deadlock over the farm laws. However, no consensus was formed between the two parties. Post the meeting, a farmer leader said that the government would come up with a proposal on Wednesday. He said that the meeting slated for December 9 would not take place.
"No meeting will be held between farmers and government tomorrow. The minister has said that a proposal will be given to the farmer leaders tomorrow. Farmer leaders will hold a meeting over govt's proposal. The government is not ready to roll back the farm laws," All India Kisan Sabha General Secretary Hannan Mollah told reporters.
As many as 13 farmer leaders met Shah, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Piyush Goyal. The meeting was first scheduled to be held at Amit Shah's official residence, but was later shifted to Pusa Agricultural Institute campus.
READ MORE: Will demand 'yes or no' from Amit Shah when we meet him: farmer leaders
The 'Bharat Bandh' call given by farmers evoked a mixed response on Tuesday. Shops and commercial establishments were closed, transport affected and traffic disrupted as protesters squatted on roads and train tracks in several parts of the country. Emergency services were exempted and banks, too, continued operations as the pan-India shutdown, backed by most opposition parties and many trade unions, came into effect.
READ MORE: Farmers' group meet Agri Minister; seek amendments, not repeal of laws
The government has decided to hold another meeting on December 9 with representatives of protesting farmers, as their fifth round of talks could not find any resolution with the farmers' group going on a 'maun vrat' (vow of silence) seeking a clear 'yes or no' answer to their demand of repealing three farm laws. Union leaders said they did not want anything less than the complete repeal of the laws, which they claim are the laws meant to end the mandi system and minimum support price procurement system to give for benefits of corporates.
READ MORE: Major farmer union stays away from Bharat Bandh, says foreign powers trying to sabotage agitation
Thousands of farmers continue to protest on various borders of the national capital since November 26. Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar had appealed to the union leaders to send back the elderly, women and children to their homes from the protest sites.
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