Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

World

Police tighten security as thousands join Indian farmer protests

-

Indian police tightened security Saturday around camps where farmers have been protesting against new agricultural reform laws, as thousands more arrived to join the campaign.

Authorities cut internet links to most of the camps where tens of thousands of farmers have been based since November as they demand the repeal of the laws.

At least 10 000 additional protestors have arrived this week to boost numbers inside the camps
At least 10,000 additional protestors have arrived this week to boost numbers inside the camps
Sajjad HUSSAIN, AFP

Tensions have been rising since a mass tractor rally on Tuesday turned into a rampage across Delhi where clashes between farmers and security forces left one dead and hundreds injured.

At least 10,000 new protesters have arrived since Thursday to bolster the campaign, according to observers.

In the camps, many farmers held a one-day fast on Saturday -- the 73rd anniversary of the assassination of independence leader Mahatma Gandhi -- in a bid to show their tactics are peaceful.

Farmers are trying to prove to the public that their campaign is a peaceful one  after a rally on Tu...
Farmers are trying to prove to the public that their campaign is a peaceful one, after a rally on Tuesday turned violent
Sajjad HUSSAIN, AFP

But outside, on top of the internet cut, police blocked a main road into the Ghazipur camp on the outskirts of Delhi.

Additional security forces were deployed after clashes erupted Friday between farmers and opponents of their campaign.

Some local groups say they want the protesters to go home but the farmers' leaders are adamant they will stay. There have been accusations that right-wing activists have manipulated the counter-protests.

Farmers have insisted they will stay put until the new agricultural laws are withdrawn
Farmers have insisted they will stay put until the new agricultural laws are withdrawn
Sajjad HUSSAIN, AFP

The new laws allow farmers to sell their produce on the open market after decades of selling to state-run bodies.

Farmers say the changes will mean the takeover of the agriculture industry, which employs two-thirds of India's 1.3 billion population, by conglomerates.

The government says the changes will boost efficiency and rural incomes.

Indian police tightened security Saturday around camps where farmers have been protesting against new agricultural reform laws, as thousands more arrived to join the campaign.

Authorities cut internet links to most of the camps where tens of thousands of farmers have been based since November as they demand the repeal of the laws.

At least 10 000 additional protestors have arrived this week to boost numbers inside the camps

At least 10,000 additional protestors have arrived this week to boost numbers inside the camps
Sajjad HUSSAIN, AFP

Tensions have been rising since a mass tractor rally on Tuesday turned into a rampage across Delhi where clashes between farmers and security forces left one dead and hundreds injured.

At least 10,000 new protesters have arrived since Thursday to bolster the campaign, according to observers.

In the camps, many farmers held a one-day fast on Saturday — the 73rd anniversary of the assassination of independence leader Mahatma Gandhi — in a bid to show their tactics are peaceful.

Farmers are trying to prove to the public that their campaign is a peaceful one  after a rally on Tu...

Farmers are trying to prove to the public that their campaign is a peaceful one, after a rally on Tuesday turned violent
Sajjad HUSSAIN, AFP

But outside, on top of the internet cut, police blocked a main road into the Ghazipur camp on the outskirts of Delhi.

Additional security forces were deployed after clashes erupted Friday between farmers and opponents of their campaign.

Some local groups say they want the protesters to go home but the farmers’ leaders are adamant they will stay. There have been accusations that right-wing activists have manipulated the counter-protests.

Farmers have insisted they will stay put until the new agricultural laws are withdrawn

Farmers have insisted they will stay put until the new agricultural laws are withdrawn
Sajjad HUSSAIN, AFP

The new laws allow farmers to sell their produce on the open market after decades of selling to state-run bodies.

Farmers say the changes will mean the takeover of the agriculture industry, which employs two-thirds of India’s 1.3 billion population, by conglomerates.

The government says the changes will boost efficiency and rural incomes.

AFP
Written By

With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.

You may also like:

World

Calling for urgent action is the international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

Business

The cathedral is on track to reopen on December 8 - Copyright AFP Ludovic MARINParis’s Notre-Dame Cathedral, ravaged by fire in 2019, is on...

Business

Saudi Aramco President & CEO Amin Nasser speaks during the CERAWeek oil summit in Houston, Texas - Copyright AFP Mark FelixPointing to the still...

Business

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal infers that some workers might be falling out of the job market altogether.