Thousands of farmers protesting against the Centre's new agri laws stayed put at the Singhu and Tikri border points for the third consecutive day on Saturday amid heavy police presence even after being offered a north Delhi ground to hold peaceful demonstrations.
"I appeal to the protesting farmers that govt of India is ready to hold talks. Agriculture Minister has invited them on December 3 for discussion. Government is ready to deliberate on every problem & demand of the farmers," Home Minister said.
While speaking to news agency ANI, Shah also said that if farmers' unions want to hold discussion before December 3 then, we want to assure them that as soon as they shift their protest to designated place, Centre will hold talks to address their concerns the very next day.
Meanwhile, farmers gathered at border points have decided to stay put on Saturday night as they have called a crucial meeting on Sunday to decide their next course of action.
Numbers swelled at the Singhu border point as farmers gathered there were joined by more counterparts from Punjab and Haryana and they refused to move towards the Sant Nirankari Ground, one of the biggest in the national capital.
Protesting farmers also got support from their counterparts from Uttar Pradesh, who gathered at the Ghazipur border with their vehicles on Saturday afternoon.
Earlier in the day, Joint Commissioner of Police (Northern range) Surender Singh Yadav, who took stock of security arrangements at the Singhu border, told reporters that around 600 to 700 farmers have so far reached the north Delhi ground.
On Saturday morning, protesting farmers from Punjab and Haryana gathered at the Singhu border, one of the main routes used to access the city from Punjab, held a meeting to decide their next course of action.
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On Friday, hundreds of farmers entered the national capital to hold a peaceful protest at the Sant Nirankari Ground after facing teargas and water cannons and clashing with security personnel while thousands remained at border points, undecided whether to go to the demonstration site identified by police.
Farmers protesting against the Centre's three farm laws have expressed apprehension that the laws would pave a way for the dismantling of the minimum support price system, leaving them at the "mercy" of big corporates.
The Centre has invited several Punjab farmer organisations for another round of talks in Delhi on December 3.