After Tear Gas & Water Cannons, Farmers Brave Another Freezing Night But Refuse To Bow Down

Thousands of farmers from northern parts of India continued to brave the freezing cold weather as they dug their heels at Delhi's border points on the night of November 28, as their numbers swelled throughout the day.

On Saturday, hundreds of farmers gathered at Burari grounds, disparate but united in their determination to hold protests against the new farm laws.

Amit Shah calls for talks

With many roads and entry points blocked, Union Home Minister Amit Shah appealed to the farmers to shift to the Burari ground and said the Centre is ready to hold discussions with them as soon as they move to the designated place.

File Photo

Shah said a delegation of the farmers has been invited for discussion on December 3, adding now that some of their unions have demanded that talks be held immediately; the central government is ready to do so as soon as the protestors shift to the ground in Burari.

However, farmers have refused to move to a designated site.

Braving another cold night

After an agitated Friday that saw police using teargas shells, water cannons and multi-layer barriers to block the protesters and some farmers pelting stones and breaking barricades in their determination to push through as part of their 'Delhi Chalo' march, Saturday was far quieter.

But tension persisted with restless crowds milling around the city¡¯s edges and beyond, and settling down for another night out in the cold.

ANI

Though there was no clear roadmap, the farmers, belonging to multiple groups, including 30 from Punjab, appeared clear in their resolve, some saying that they would not disperse till the laws were repealed and their voices heard. They were mostly from Punjab and Haryana, but also from Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.

At Singhu and Tikri borders, farmers who had been protesting for three days refused to move.

Settling down for another night on the road, some said they would wait for the outcome of a crucial meeting on Sunday to decide further course of action.