As Protest Enters Day 21, Farmers' Leaders Harden Stance; Centre Continues To Back Laws | Top Developments

As the deadlock between farmers and government over the three farm laws passed by Centre continues for the 21st straight day, farmers have decided to harden their stance.

New Delhi: Farmers gather at Ghazipur border during their protest against Centre's agri-laws, in New Delhi, Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020. (PTI Photo/Ravi Choudhary)

Farmers' Protest: As the deadlock between farmers and government over the three farm laws passed by Centre continues for the 21^st straight day, farmers have decided to harden their stance. On Tuesday, when the agitation had clocked its 20^th day, they asserted that they will "make" the Centre repeal the three new agrarian laws in a hardening of their stand even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi said a conspiracy is afoot to confuse them and accused the opposition of shooting off farmers' shoulders. Here are the top developments: Farmers threaten to block Chilla border again: The farmers are warning to again block the Chilla border that had re-opened for the last few days. In a press conference held on Tuesday on the Singhu border, farmer leaders threatened to completely block the Chilla border connecting Delhi and Noida on Wednesday. Tribute Meeting On Dec 20: The leaders added that on December 20, there will be tribute meetings in villages across the country for farmers who've lost their lives during the agitation. SC to hear plea seeking removal of farmers at Delhi borders: The Supreme Court on Wednesday will hear a plea seeking direction to authorities for the removal of protesting farmers from the borders of Delhi asserting that the gatherings might lead to an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases. 4 Farmers Returning From Protest Killed In Separate Accidents, 1 Dies Of Heart Attack: The twentieth day of the protest saw the death of four farmers of Punjab in two separate road accidents. Another farmer died of a heart attack at the agitation camp on the border of Delhi on Tuesday. PM Modi pitches for Farm Laws: Prime Minister Modi made a strong pitch for the agrarian laws enacted in September, describing them as historic and said his government was ready to remove any doubts about the legislations. I want to reiterate that my government is ready 24 hours to resolve all your doubts. Farmers adamant on demand of scrapping of the 3 laws: The union leaders again made it clear the government should first repeal all the three laws and only then there can be further talks. Negotiations between the government and the farmers' unions have remained stuck after five rounds. Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said the Centre is willing to continue its talks with "genuine farm unions" to find a solution with an open mind. BKU UP ends protest for now: Bharatiya Kisan Union (Kisan) from Uttar Pradesh, which submitted a memorandum to Tomar with suggestions regarding the Farm Acts and the MSP, has decided to end for now its protest, which it was holding at district levels in Uttar Pradesh. They have not been part of the nearly 40 farmers' groups that have been protesting at various border points of the national capital and had attended talks with the Centre. ‘Democratic process must go on, but need to be wary of Covid,’ says Govt: The Union Health Ministry said on Tuesday that farmers' protest must go on as part of a democratic process, but people must be wary of Covid-19 infection and follow the appropriate behaviour.