Police use tear gas against protesting farmers in New Delhi
‘This is not just the farmers’ problem. Farmers won’t suffer alone. This will be a problem for all of India.’
Police in India have used tear gas and batons against farmers who were protesting against agricultural reforms in the capital, New Delhi.
Tens of thousands of farmers held a “tractor rally” on the day India celebrated the Republic Day.
Hundreds of police and paramilitary forces were deployed at Singhu border outside New Delhi, the epicentre of the weeks-long protests.
Police blocked several roads to the capital with metal and concrete barricades so that the marching farmers could only take routes permitted by the authorities.
But some protesters managed to storm past police barricades towards the city centre where a large military and cultural parade was being held.
They also entered the historic Red Fort complex in the capital and hoisted flags.
A person is reported to have died after a tractor tumbled in the disorder.
Farmers have been demonstrating for months against the new laws, which they say will destroy their livelihoods and favour large businesses.
“They thought they would easily implement these bills and only a small amount of farmers would protest against it,” said Shailendra Choudhary, a farmer. “But they had no idea that the entire country would come and occupy the borders of the capital. This is not just the farmers’ problem. Farmers won’t suffer alone. This will be a problem for all of India.”
The government says the laws would increase farmers’ income through more private investments.
This video was edited by Al Jazeera Newsfeed’s Katya Bohdan.