Govt ready to hold talks with protesting farmers: Amit Shah

New Delhi : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday affirmed protesting farmers at the Delhi border areas that "the government is ready to talk to them on each and every demand."

He said that Centre will hold talks with the agitating farmers on December 3 and asked the farmers to move to a government-designated venue for a silent protest.

"If farmers' unions want to hold discussions before December 3 then, I want to assure you all, that as soon as you shift your protest to the structured place, the government will hold talks to address your concerns the very next day," he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

On Friday, thousands of farmers marched from Punjab to the national capital under "Delhi Chalo" campaign.

The protestors, who were camping at scattered locations around Delhi, will now move to a particular location.

Earlier this week, visuals showed farmers surging ahead despite the heavy presence of security personnel to stop their advance. As opposition parties and social media users rallied behind them, the Centre on Friday agreed to hold talks over their demands.

"The government has always been ready to discuss issues with farmers. We have invited farmers' organisations for another round of talks on 3rd December. I appeal to them to leave agitation in view of COVID-19 and winter," Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.