Indian government talks with the farmers failed
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Thousands of Indian farmers have camped outside the capital New Delhi to protest against new laws that they claim will destroy their livelihoods after a fresh round of talks failed with the government.
"Yesterday there were talks between the farmer groups' representatives and government… the talks didn't reach any conclusion. There is another round of talks tomorrow," Rakesh Tikait, a senior member of the Bharatiya Kisan Union, a farmer group, told Anadolu Agency on Friday.
Most of the farmers are from the northern Punjab state. They are blocking the entryway to New Delhi after police did not allow them to enter the capital.
"We will not end the protest until the government repeals the laws," said Tikait.
On Thursday, 40 farmer leaders met senior Indian government ministers and held a long meeting to resolve the matter. In a late-night statement, the government said the meeting was held in a "cordial and frank atmosphere."
"This was the fourth round of talks which was held in a cordial and frank atmosphere. The Unions have agreed to further participate in the next meeting on 5th December," it said.
In September, the Indian government announced three agricultural reforms, which the farmers and experts believe will further exploit them and threaten the food security of the country.
The government claims the new laws will give farmers greater autonomy to set their own prices and sell directly to supermarket chains. However, farmers say it would leave them worse off. They are asking the government to define minimum prices for crops so that they are not exploited by big chains.
The protests by farmers are taking place at a time when the country's coronavirus cases are inching toward the 10-million mark.
On Friday, nearly 37,000 new infections were registered to take the total cases to 9.57 million. The COVID-19 death toll in the country has also reached 139,188.
