India

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - The Indian government on Tuesday appealed to farmers to hold further talks to break a nearly month-long deadlock over their demand for the repeal of agricultural reform laws, but farmers’ leaders declined to relent unless these laws are withdrawn.

Thousands of protesters have camped on the outskirts of New Delhi and blocked national highways for over three weeks to protest against new laws that the government says would increase farmers’ income through more private investments.

Chamkaur Sahib (Pb), Dec 21 (PTI) Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal on Monday accused the Centre of the bid to defame agitating farmers by raising the bogey of talks to create an impression that it is reasonable and farmers are wrong, according to a statement.

New Delhi, Dec 21 (PTI) The National Water Mission launched the 'Jal Shakti Abhiyan II: Catch the Rain' awareness campaign on Monday to promote rainwater harvesting, the Jal Shakti Ministry said.

The campaign was launched jointly by Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju.

NEW DELHI/BEIJING (Reuters) - The political head of Tibetans in exile on Tuesday welcomed legislation passed by the U.S. Congress that reaffirms the rights of Tibetans to choose a successor to their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, a move that infuriated China.

China regards the exiled Dalai Lama as a dangerous “splittist”, or separatist, and the latest show of support from the U.S. Congress could increase already tense ties between the two countries.

Dehradun, Dec 21 (PTI) A yoga programme aimed at teaching MLAs and assembly staffers different yogic poses and inspire them to adopt a healthy lifestyle was held at the Uttarakhand Vidhan Sabha premises on Monday.

Yoga Guru Ramdev's close aide Acharya Balkrishna was the chief guest at the programme held within the state assembly premises shortly before the House assembled for a three-day session.

Hyderabad, Dec 21 (PTI) A 43-year-old man from Hyderabad was fired upon and injured in Chicago in the United States, his family members said here on Monday.

Mohammed Mujeebuddin suffered bullet injuries in the early hours of Monday and has been admitted to a hospital in a very critical condition, his wife said in a letter to Telangana IT Minister K T Rama Rao.

Fatehpur (UP), Dec 22 (PTI) A six-year-old girl was allegedly raped by a 50-year-old man in a village in Fatehpur district of Uttar Pradesh, police said on Tuesday.

The incident took place on Monday evening in the Lalauli area here, SHO Sandeep Tiwari said.

The accused, Ramu Tiwari, had fled the spot after villagers were alerted by the girl's cries for help but was later arrested, he said.

The girl was admitted to a hospital, and her condition was stated to be stable, he added.

Hyderabad, Dec 22 (PTI) A 21-year-old man was arrested here for allegedly repeatedly raping a minor girl after threatening her, police said on Tuesday.

The accused, a painter, hailing from Uttar Pradesh and staying in the girl's relative's rented house in Shamshabad allegedly raped the girl, they said.

The victim's parents had left her with their relative in October this year before leaving for their native place in Assam. When they returned to the city on December 18, the girl narrated the incident to her mother.

New Delhi, Dec 22 (PTI) Farmer leaders are expected to meet on Tuesday to discuss a plan of action as thousands gathered at protest sites on Delhi's borders with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to press for the repeal of the new agri laws brace the cold wave sweeping through the national capital.

Efforts are underway by the unions to draw support from farmers in other states like Bihar for their demand to enact a law assuring Minimum Support Price as the protest at the border points have been going on for almost four weeks now.

(Reuters) - Farmers’ leaders sought to step up pressure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to repeal three agricultural reform laws on Monday by starting a 24-hour relay hunger strike.

Modi’s government is urging the farmers to engage in further talks to end a deadlock which has led to thousands camping on the outskirts of New Delhi for more than three weeks.

The protests have blocked roads connecting the national capital with neighbouring states of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, hitting public transport and the supply of fruit and vegetables.