Farmers protest Live updates: Farmers block Delhi-Meerut Expressway with tractors as protest intensifies at Ghazipur border

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The central government on Sunday asked protesting farmer unions to specify their concerns over its earlier proposal of amendments in the new agri laws and choose a convenient date for the next round of talks so that the ongoing agitation could end at the earliest. In a letter to 40 union leaders, Union Agriculture Ministry Joint Secretary Vivek Aggarwal said the Centre is making all efforts with "an open heart" to find an appropriate solution to resolve all the concerns raised by farmers.

Meanwhile, farmer unions announced a day-long relay hunger strike on Monday at all protest sites to press for the repeal of the Centre's new agri laws even as Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar is likely to hold talks with the protesting groups in a day or two to discuss their demands.

Farmers' bodies have claimed that over 30 farmers participating in the stir have died due to different reasons including heart attack and road accidents. The farmers performed 'ardaas' (prayer) and in some places they also took out protest marches against the Centre.

Stay tuned to the live blog for latest updates on farmers' protest against agri laws. 

22 December 2020

12:50 IST

Protesting farmers block Ghazipur (Delhi-Ghaziabad) border completely. Traffic from Delhi towards Ghazipur & Ghaziabad on Delhi-Meerut Expressway affected as both side carriageways closed for traffic.

Delhi: Protesting farmers block Ghazipur (Delhi-Ghaziabad) border completely.

Traffic from Delhi towards Ghazipur & Ghaziabad on Delhi-Meerut Expressway affected as both side carriageways closed for traffic. pic.twitter.com/jHMkpQJIch

— ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2020

12:49 IST

Commuters say they're facing problems commuting from Delhi to Ghaziabad due to closure of both carriageways on Delhi-Meerut Expressway "This Expressway isn't being utilised for the purpose it was constructed. I've been stuck here due to jam," says Gaurav Goyal, a commuter