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

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

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

Singhu, Auchandi, Piau Maniyari, and Mangesh borders are closed. Please take alternate routes via Lampur, Safiabad Saboli and Singhu school toll tax borders. Traffic has been diverted from Mukarba and GTK Road. Please avoid Outer Ring road, GTK road and NH 44: Delhi Traffic Police

Chilla border one carriageway from Delhi to Noida is open for traffic. However, the other carriageway from Noida to Delhi is closed: Delhi Traffic Police

Tikri, Dhansa borders are closed for any traffic movement. Jhatikara borders is open only for two-wheelers and pedestrian movement: Delhi Traffic Police

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.

On Sunday, farmers in Punjab and Haryana as well as those protesting on Delhi's borders observed 'Shradhanjali Diwas' to pay homage to their brethren "who died during the ongoing agitation".

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.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently stated that it is likely that Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar will in a day or two meet the union leaders.

Union Agriculture Ministry Joint Secretary Vivek Aggarwal said that in its draft proposal sent on December 9, the government had proposed to make necessary amendments on at least seven issues, including providing a "written assurance" to the farmers that the existing minimum support price (MSP) system would continue.

Previous five rounds of talks between the government and the unions have failed to break the deadlock with the farmers insisting on repeal of the three laws and camping at various border points of Delhi for over three weeks now.

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.

The 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.