Chandigarh, Oct 15 (TIWN) Less than 24 hours after the talks between the Centre and representatives of farmer unions ended on a stormy note, farmers belong to 29 organisations on Thursday declared they would intensify their non-violent stir and announced state-wide protests in Punjab on October 17 against the three farm laws passed by Parliament.

The groups announced they would stage sit-in protests outside the residences of the state BJP leaders, besides deciding to continue with the suspension of trains and blocking of road networks near toll plazas.  "There will be state-wide protest in Punjab on October 17. Our 'rail roko' agitation and 'gherao' of toll plazas in the state would be intensified and effigies of Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi will be burnt," a spokesperson for the farmers' unions told the media here.  The BJP leaders ranging from district presidents to MPs to MLAs, both present and former, would be held captive in their residences as they were involved in "provocation", he said.  Also, businesses owned by two large corporate houses, including their petrol pumps, would not be allowed to operate, the spokesman added.